At this point, Russel Orhii has little to prove. As an 83-kilogram powerlifter, he’s a two-time International Powerlifting Federation (IPF) World Champion (2019, 2021). He holds the raw IPF World Record back squat (320.5 kilograms/706.6 pounds), also in the 83-kilogram weight class.
Domestically, in the 82.5-kilogram division, Orhii owns the USA Powerlifting (USAPL) raw American Records on the squat (320.5 kilograms/706.6 pounds) and total (838 kilograms/1,847.5 pounds). He notched his IPF record squat during the 2021 IPF Worlds, while he tallied his American Record at the 2022 USAPL Mega Nationals.
That isn’t stopping the powerlifting superstar, who doesn’t appear to rest on the laurels of his past accomplishments. On Dec. 4, 2022, Orhii showed how far he’s come with his strength when he shared an Instagram clip of himself locking out a 319.8-kilogram (705-pound) back squat for three reps.
Per the caption of Orhii’s post, the set is a new personal record (PR). Check it out below:
For context on Orhii’s latest display of unique power, his training feat is on par with some of his best-ever squat singles. The American athlete’s three-rep 319.8-kilogram (705-pound) back squat PR is just half a kilogram (one pound) off both his IPF World Record and American Record squats.
Meanwhile, Orhii’s three-rep PR is just 3.22 kilograms (7.1 pounds) off of his all-time raw competition best of 323 kilograms (712.1 pounds). That squat occurred at the 2021 USAPL Raw Nationals.
As for other recent training accomplishments, Orhii has stayed busy during the 2022 calendar year. In early April 2022, he ground through a 345-kilogram (760.5-pound) raw deadlift PR. In early October 2022, he crushed a 347-kilogram (765-pound) back squat PR.
Orhii’s focus seems to be centered around reps in the gym lately. Just a week prior to this latest three-rep squat PR, Orhii shared a clip where he powered through a 310-kilogram (683-pound) squat for four reps. He destroyed a 288-kilogram (635-pound) squat for six reps five weeks beforehand.
Orhii’s work is likely connected to an upcoming powerlifting contest in late December 2022. At the time of this writing, he has not disclosed when that competition will precisely occur or what it is.
Orhii previously alluded to dipping his toes into competitive bodybuilding but never provided a concrete update on when he would appear on stage.
Regardless of what Orhii’s future holds, it’s evident that he isn’t yet fully satisfied with his illustrious resume. With that in mind, expect plenty of milestones and rousing performances to come from this powerlifting dynamo.
Featured image: @russwole on Instagram
