There are powerlifting superstars, and there are powerlifting supernovas. Sherine Marcelle would fit the latter cosmic description. On Mar. 6, 2023, Marcelle shared an Instagram video of herself completing a raw 227.5-kilogram (501-pound) beltless deadlift for three reps. According to the caption of Marcelle’s post, the set was a 2.7-kilogram (six-pound) personal record (PR) with this kind of deadlift for the usual 90-kilogram athlete.
“So grateful for the people that showed up and continue to show up for me. This is the strongest I have felt and the most I’ve shown up for me.”
Marcelle had no other equipment adorned to assist with her strength milestone. She completed her pull from a sumo stance with a mixed grip.
In early June 2022, after competing in February’s Word Raw Powerlifting Federation (WRPF) Ghost Clash, Marcelle had stated she would be taking most of the rest of the competitive year off to recalibrate. The athlete maintained she previously “fought through injuries” and came through with flying colors but seemed to want to take a step back for the time being. The competitor still shared various training tidbits — especially two respective back squat PRs in late August 2022 and early September 2022 — but otherwise only featured in the 2022 United States Powerlifting Association (USPA) PWRBLD Winter War in mid-December.
Based on the recent tenor of Marcelle’s Instagram posts in 2023, the athlete is ready to make her competitive return sometime in late March and early April. However, it is unclear which specific contest Marcelle will participate in, as she has not offered those concrete details. All that might provide a hint is a February 2023 salute to C.T. Fletcher. The influencer is the organizer of the annual Iron Wars, but there doesn’t appear to be another contest listed on his event website for the time being.
Wherever Marcelle does compete, she’s likened to shine: as the athlete usually does.
In her last nine professional appearances, Marcelle has fallen short of first place just twice while competing raw and with wraps. According to Open Powerlifting, Marcelle possesses one of the all-time highest raw squats (244.9 kilograms/540.1 pounds) in the 90-kilogram division, just shy of two-time reigning International Powerlifting Federation (IPF) World Champion Amanda Lawrence. Should Marcelle compete raw with wraps at her next contest, she may potentially turn her early summer 2022 squat PR (297 kilograms/655 pounds) into an all-time World Record. Only Crystal Tate (290.3 kilograms/640 pounds) has ever squatted more, raw with wraps, as a 90-kilogram competitor.
Pound for pound, Marcelle is one of the strongest powerlifters ever, regardless of division. As the official start of her personal competitive 2023 season nears, it seems apparent that the athlete will live up to that elite billing again.
Featured image: @sincerelysherine on Instagram
