Blake Lehew has long since established himself as one of the 82-kilogram division’s top titans in powerlifting. However, many of the athlete’s achievements have come while competing raw with wraps. That includes, per Open Powerlifting, a World Record total of 930 kilograms (2,050.3 pounds) notched in a first-place result at the 2022 WRPF American Pro. As this 319.9-kilogram (705.4-pound) squat demonstrates, Lehew has officially taken his 82-kilogram catalog of accomplishments to the next level.

In addition to his all-time raw competition best squat, Lehew secured a personal record (PR) raw DOTS score of 620 — the ratio of an athlete’s body weight to the weight they’re lifting. Lehew also matched his all-time raw competition best total of 915 kilograms (2,017.2 pounds), which he initially recorded during a first-place performance at the 2022 WRPF PPC Finals.

Here’s an overview of Lehew’s top stats from the 2023 USA-UA Pioneer on the Beach:

Blake Lehew (82KG) | 2023 USA-UA Pioneer on the Beach Top Stats

• Squat — 319.9 kilograms (705.4 pounds) | All-Time Raw Competition Best
• Bench Press — 220 kilograms (485 pounds)
• Deadlift — 374.9 kilograms (826.7 pounds)
• Total — 915 kilograms (2,017.2 pounds) | Matches All-Time Raw Competition Best

Notably, Lehew had teased his pursuit of surpassing a 385-kilogram (848-pound) raw deadlift by performing it beltless during a late February 2023 training session. The athlete ultimately fell short of repeating the in-gym performance during the Pioneer on the Beach contest, as he summed up portions of the rest of his performance as “subpar” in an Instagram post. That goal will have to wait for another competition to come true.

In the same Instagram post recapping his performance, Lehew — who noted he brought a personal team to a full meet for the first time — seemed over the moon at what he could accomplish in this raw, sanctioned powerlifting setting.

It appears to be one of the best and most collaborative moments of his professional career.

“This was the first time I’ve been able to bring a team to a big meet and it was one of the most rewarding experiences of my life.”

Featured image: @deadliftingorangutan on Instagram

The post Blake Lehew Breaks 317.5-Kilogram (700-Pound) Raw Squat Barrier In Competition appeared first on Breaking Muscle.

On Feb. 26, 2023, Lehew posted an Instagram video where he successfully pulled a 385-kilogram (848-pound) beltless deadlift. The powerlifter completed his pull from a sumo stance with a traditional grip, and he said he weighed 190 pounds at the time of the lift. What’s more, according to Open Powerlifting, the deadlift matches Lehew’s all-time raw competition best, also achieved at the latest American Pro.

“I believe the belt is a thing of the past for deadlifts.”

The beltless pull aside, Lehew had nothing else adorned to assist with the feat. He leaned fully on his strength to reach the lockout position.

The main benefit of a lifting belt is that it provides a rigid surface to brace against. Bracing is when you inhale to expand your entire core — front to back — for spinal stability and support. Your core is the center of your entire body; if it is loose during a lift, your form will fall apart.

Take Lehew’s deadlift as an example. His back would round and fold under the bar’s weight if he failed to brace properly. Elite lifters like Lehew have mastered their bracing technique. Still, belts help you brace tighter than you could if you weren’t wearing one, which is why Lehew’s beltless 385-kilogram pull is so impressive. While it’s not entirely accurate to say he could pull more if he were wearing a belt, it’s clear that Lehew is strengthening his core and optimizing his technique — two factors that do add up to a stronger overall deadlift.

What’s Next for Lehew?

In the caption of Lehew’s post, he alludes to an impending competition on his calendar. He has been hinting at these plans since the start of 2023. At the time of this writing, it is unclear which contest he is referring to, as he has not offered specifics on his social media platforms. The “six weeks out” reference would line up with a date sometime around Easter Weekend 2023 in early April.

Given that Lehew has mainly featured as a WRPF and United States Powerlifting Association competitor lately, there are a variety of possibilities.

Per the WRPF 2023 events calendar, there is the WRPF Face Off on April 2, the Drug Tested Out For Blood 2, the Southwest Showdown, and the War for the Valley on April 15. According to the USPA 2023 events calendar, the only date and contest roughly matching Lehew’s timeline is the 2023 USA Powerlifting Battle at Bionic Barbell on April 2.

Whichever event Lehew ends up featuring in soon, it seems apparent he’ll be ready to add another illustrious accomplishment to his resume. He should probably expect nothing less as one of powerlifting’s current stronger stars.

Featured image: @deadliftingorangutan on Instagram

The post Powerlifter Blake Lehew Destroys a 385-Kilogram (848-Pound) Beltless Deadlift appeared first on Breaking Muscle.

On Nov. 12, 2022, Lehew (82.5KG) posted an Instagram clip of himself capturing a raw 235-kilogram (518-pound) bench press. According to the caption of Lehew’s post, it’s a new personal record (PR). While unofficial, the training feat is also just 2.6 kilograms (5.7 pounds) shy of Maliek Derstine’s all-time raw World Record of 237.5 kilograms (523.6 pounds) in the 82.5-kilogram weight class. Lehew completed this feat without the help of any other equipment and performed the press while barefoot.

Lehew’s bench press work is connected to an upcoming powerlifting competition roughly three weeks from the time of his clip. The same can be said for a 395-kilogram (870.8-pound) raw deadlift PR approximately a week before. Note: According to Open Powerlifting, that pulling mark, if transferred over to an official contest, would surpass Lehew’s all-time World Record of 382.5 kilograms (843.2 pounds) in the 82.5-kilogram division. He achieved that figure at the 2022 United States Powerlifting Association (USPA) Hybrid Showdown 4.

At the time of this writing, without more specifics, it’s unclear what the competition is and precisely when it will take place. Lehew’s diverse competitive history within organizations like the USPA, the World Raw Powerlifting Federation (WRPF), USA Powerlifting (USAPL), and the International Powerlifting Federation (IPF) makes it possible he could lift under any of these umbrellas in early December 2022.

Regardless of where or when he competes, it seems likely Lehew will flourish. The 27-year-old has won five straight contests dating back to April 2021 and eight of 10 competitions since March 2019.

Here’s an overview of some of Lehew’s more notable recent competitive results:

Blake Lehew | Recent Competitive Career Results

Blake Lehew | All-Time Raw Competition Bests

• Squat — 305 kilograms (672.4 pounds)
• Bench Press — 227.5 kilograms (501.5 pounds)
• Deadlift — 382.5 kilograms (843.2 pounds) | 82.5KG All-Time Raw World Record
• Total — 910 kilograms (2006.2 pounds)

Lehew is slowly but surely building toward another potential exemplary performance. With a few more weeks of strength refinement on the horizon, the athlete could have his best in store when he competes next month.

Featured image: @deadliftingorangutan on Instagram

The post Powerlifter Blake Lehew (82.5KG) Scores a Massive 518-Pound Bench Press for a New Milestone appeared first on Breaking Muscle.