Phillip Herndon is not one to tip-toe around a loaded barbell. As his competitive resume and Instagram profile of training feats illustrate, he’s an athlete prepared to put the pedal to the metal whenever he steps into the gym. After his most recent accomplishment, the powerlifter now has the record books backing up his mentality again.
On Mar. 18, 2023, during the United States Powerlifting Coalition (USPC) Mid-Atlantic Classic & Regional Championship, Herndon captured a 411-kilogram (906.1-pound) raw back squat. According to Open Powerlifting, the milestone is not only Herndon’s all-time raw competition best, it is the second-heaviest all time for the 125-kilogram (275-pound) weight class. Herndon donned a lifting belt, knee sleeves, and wrist wraps during the groundbreaking achievement. At a body weight of 117 kilograms (258 pounds), well below the weight class cap, he is the lightest athlete to squat at least 408.2 kilograms (900 pounds) raw with sleeves.
Herndon’s World Record adjacent squat in the 125-kilogram division officially surpasses his peer Dennis Cornelius by one kilogram. Per Open Powerlifting, Cornelius recorded the now-broken raw all-time World Record of 410 kilograms (903.9 pounds) at the 2017 United States Powerlifting Association (USPA) Freedom Fitness Classic.
Herndon adds his 125-kilogram class raw squat to a mantel that already features the 110-kilogram record of 395 kilograms (870.8 pounds). Herndon achieved that mark at the 2022 World Raw Powerlifting Federation (WRPF) The Freaks Come Out At Night. For the time being, the contest marked the athlete’s last appearance in the division before formally transitioning to compete at 125 kilograms.
In addition to his squat records, Herndon notched respective raw all-time competition bests on the deadlift (382.3 kilograms/844 pounds) and total (1,023.7 kilograms/2,257 pounds), while matching his best ever raw bench press (230 kilograms/507 pounds).
Herndon’s recent performance places him fourth in the 125-kilogram all-time total record books, just behind Larry “Wheels” Williams who totaled 1031.9 kilograms (2275 pounds) at the 2017 Revolution Powerlifting Syndicate (RPS) Insurrextion VI.
Here’s an overview of Herndon’s record-setting performance:
Phillip Herndon (125KG) | 2023 USPC Mid-Atlantic Regional Championship Top Stats
- Squat — 411 kilograms (906.1 pounds) | Second-Heaviest Squat All Time
- Bench Press — 230 kilograms (507 pounds)
- Deadlift — 382.3 kilograms (844 pounds) | All-Time Raw Competition Best
- Total — 1,023.7 kilograms (2,257 pounds) | All-Time Raw Competition Best
Now in possession of several raw World Records in two separate divisions, Herndon could theoretically rest on his laurels for a period of time as he recuperates and plans his next display of strength. However, something says this superstar is only just getting started with an eraser and pencil for the record books.
