On Apr. 20, 2023, powerlifter Hunter Henderson shared an Instagram clip of herself capturing a 227.2-kilogram (501-pound) raw deadlift from a conventional stance. According to the caption of the athlete’s post, it’s the first time Henderson has ever deadlifted at least 500 pounds raw from a conventional setup. Henderson wore just a lifting belt to help her with the strength feat.
According to Open Powerlifting, Henderson possesses the third-heaviest all-time raw deadlift of 252.4 kilograms (556.6 pounds) in the 75-kilogram (165-pound) weight class. However, that lift occurred from a sumo pulling stance. While this most recent training pull is unofficial and outside of the context of a sanctioned lifting competition, it remains the first time Henderson has deadlifted at least 500 pounds from a conventional stance.
Outside of her growing pulling prowess in the traditional sense, Henderson already has a reputation as one of the strongest powerlifters in various weight classes. Even more accurately, she is probably one of the strongest powerlifters on the planet, period.
For example, in the 75-kilogram (165-pound) division, Henderson is the current all-time raw with wraps squat World Record holder with a lift of 294.9 kilograms (650.3 pounds) at the 2021 World Raw Powerlifting Federation (WRPF) Kern US Open. In the 82.5-kilogram (181-pound) class, Henderson owns the all-time raw with wraps squat World Record of 305 kilograms (672.4 pounds) during the 2022 WRPF FQ Classic 2.
On an overall level, per her competitive resume featured on Open Powerlifting, Henderson has an undefeated 9-0 record in her powerlifting career. The athlete usually competes raw but has shown off successful instances of running through contests raw with wraps, as exemplified by her World Records.
It’s no wonder the athlete is seemingly breaking new ground with her deadlift strength training and progress. She’s established that kind of exemplary precedent and doesn’t seem to be slowing the train down.
At the time of this article’s publication, Henderson does not appear to have announced any upcoming competitive plans. The powerlifter last appeared on a sanctioned lifting platform during a record-breaking performance at the 2023 WRPF Ghost Clash 2 in late February 2023. For the time being, Henderson seems centered on improving her conventional deadlift.
That kind of focus might very well come in handy whenever the competitor again features in an official capacity.
Featured image: @huntermhenderson on Instagram
