Jessica Buettner had planned to compete as an 84-kilogram powerlifter for a little while now, but the superstar waited to put the shift into action. With the 2023 Canadian Powerlifting Union (CPU) Nationals occurring on Feb. 13-18, 2023, in Richmond, BC, Canada, the reigning two-time Open International Powerlifting Federation (IPF) World Champion proved it was worth the wait.
By the competition’s end, Buettner scored two raw Canadian National Records with a deadlift of 250 kilograms (551.2 pounds) and a total of 559 kilograms (1,232.4 pounds). Such results helped Buettner capture her third Canadian National title in four years. (Note: Buettner did not participate in the 2021 edition.) The athlete wore a lifting belt, wrist wraps, and knee sleeves for her squats, wrist wraps and a belt for bench presses, and just a belt for her deadlifts.
In an Instagram post recapping the performance, Buettner wrote that she had also captured the Canadian record raw squat with a lift of 209 kilograms (460.7 pounds).
Though, according to Open Powerlifting, Danielle Philibert actually possess the Canadian raw squat record with a lift of 210 kilograms (462.9 kilograms). The athlete achieved that mark at the 2021 CPU Port City Showdown. Buettner has squatted that much on a sanctioned lifting platform, successfully lifting 210 kilograms at the international 2022 Fédération Française de Force (FFForce) Girl Power.
Overall, Buettner finished all eight lifts she attempted at the 2023 CPU Nationals. Once the competitor had broken the Canadian raw deadlift record, she opted out of a final attempt to potentially extend her mark.
Nonetheless, setting the standard with two National Records in a new weight class remains impressive for Buettner, especially considering this was the athlete’s first performance in the 84-kilogram category since 2019. Here’s a complete overview of her top output at the 2023 CPU Nationals:
Jessica Buettner (84KG) | 2023 CPU National Championships Top Raw Lifts
- Squat — 209 kilograms (460.7 pounds)
- Bench Press — 100 kilograms (220.5 pounds)
- Deadlift — 250 kilograms (551.2 pounds) | Canadian National Record
- Total — 559 kilograms (1,232.4 pounds) | Canadian National Record
In her Instagram post, Buettner wrote that her next competition will be the 2023 IPF Sheffield Powerlifting Championships. The athlete will move back down to the 76-kilogram weight class for this contest, which will take place on Mar. 25, 2023, in Sheffield, England.
Buettner’s first-place performance at the 2023 CPU Nationals garners her automatic qualification to the 2023 IPF World Classic Open Powerlifting Championships. Presumably in the 76-kilogram class, the competition will see Buettner seek to make it a prolific three consecutive IPF Open World titles.
Featured image: @djessicabuettner on Instagram
