On Oct. 12, 2022, Cayco shared an Instagram clip of himself capturing a 321-kilogram (707-pound) raw deadlift for three reps. According to the caption of his post, it’s a triple PR pull for the 93-kilogram powerlifter. The athlete wore just a lifting belt to help him with his latest accomplishment.

 

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A post shared by Jonathan “Mr.Bench” Cayco (@league_of_lifting)

[Related: 4 Workouts with a Single Dumbbell for Muscle, Fat Loss, and More]

At the time of this article’s publication, Cayco’s deadlift triple PR has no connection to any upcoming contest, and he hasn’t announced any sanctioned powerlifting meets on the near horizon. That said — after Cayco finished in third place at the 2022 International Powerlifting Federation (IPF) World Championships — the athlete seems to be extra motivated. It shows with a tear of significant progress on his staple lifts over the last few months.

For example, in mid-August 2022, Cayco logged a massive 260-kilogram (573-pound) raw back squat five-rep PR. Roughly a month later, in mid-September 2022, he may have topped out his endurance when he squatted the same weight but for an eight-rep PR. Now, in the throes of the early fall season, Cayco has evidently added fresh deadlift achievements to his repertoire like this massive triple PR.

For a man with the current IPF World Record bench press of 238.5 kilograms (525.8 pounds) in the 93-kilogram class, it’s notable that Cayco continues to build out his strength with his other lifts.

 

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A post shared by Jonathan “Mr.Bench” Cayco (@league_of_lifting)

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In the case of the 29-year-old Cayco, he might be saving some of his competitive reserves for a rebound at the 2023 IPF Worlds next summer. Cayco was the defending 93-kilogram champion entering Sun City, South Africa, in early June 2022, but the young Chance Mitchell managed to topple him with a record-breaking performance.

The aftermath of that result seemed to hit Cayco hard, who wrote in an Instagram post that he was “ashamed” but would also “roll with the punches.” Taken a step further, he had said it was “refreshing to lose” and that it seemingly “reignited” his competitive spirit.

The powerlifting world won’t know how successful Cayco’s competitive rekindling will be until he next steps on an official lifting platform. With Cayco regularly sharing his massive lifts, he appears to be back on a quality track toward success.

Featured image: @league_of_lifting on Instagram

The post Powerlifter Jonathan Cayco (93KG) Makes a 707-Pound Deadlift Triple PR Look Easy appeared first on Breaking Muscle.

On Sept. 19, 2022, Cayco shared an Instagram video of himself completing a 260-kilogram (574-pound) raw back squat for eight reps during a training session. Per the caption of Cayco’s post, it’s a new personal record (PR) for the athlete. Cayco wore a lifting belt, wrist wraps, and knee sleeves to help him notch the milestone. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Jonathan “Mr.Bench” Cayco (@league_of_lifting)

[Related: How to Do the Goblet Squat for Lower Body Size and Mobility]

At the time of this writing, Cayco’s PR doesn’t appear to be connected to any sanctioned competition on the horizon. However, it seems to be the latest in a line of noteworthy training feats and progress that he regularly makes a point to share on social media. 

While it isn’t a PR per se, the man called “Mr. Bench” in his Instagram bio did complete a high-level bench press of 205 kilograms (452 pounds) for four reps just two days before this new squat PR. It was undoubtedly a routine befitting of a competitor with the current IPF World Record in the 93-kilogram division (238.5 kilograms/525.8 pounds). Cayco set that record at the 2022 IPF Worlds in an overall third-place finish. 

Just a week prior to this new leg power performance marker, Cayco matched his former 250-kilogram (551-pound) eight-rep squat PR with ease. Then, in early September 2022, the athlete finished a deadlift of 295.3 kilograms (651 pounds) for a six-rep PR. 

Here’s a rundown of Cayco’s all-time raw competition bests: 

Jonathan Cayco | All-Time Raw Competition Bests 

• Squat — 305 kilograms (672.4 pounds)
• Bench Press —242.5 kilograms (534.6 pounds)
• Deadlift — 347.5 kilograms (766.1 pounds)
• Total — 892.5 kilograms (1,967.6 pounds)

 

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Jonathan “Mr.Bench” Cayco (@league_of_lifting)

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Cayco’s recent training blitz might be partly motivated by his third-place results at the 2022 IPF Worlds. While he did take home the new bench press IPF World Record, Cayco didn’t successfully defend his 93KG World title. In a record-breaking appearance in Sun City, South Africa, Chance Mitchell vaulted ahead of his peer for first place instead. 

Cayco reflected on what’s next in a candid Instagram post after the fact. 

“It’s a weird pill to swallow for how it went down, but at the end of the day, it is my job to lift what is loaded on the bar,” Cayco wrote in a June 13 Instagram post. “I do not blame anyone but myself for my lack of performance. I am ashamed but also transparent. But we roll with the punches!”

Those “punches” might be what the 29-year-old Cayco needed to push forward through the next phase of his continued, hopefully fruitful, career. Judging by his early output following the defeat, it seems he’s making good on his commitment to coming back better and stronger than ever when he does compete next. 

“It is kind of refreshing to lose,” Cayco wrote. ” … It really reignited something in me that may have settled as I got older alongside winning for the past four years.”

Featured image: @league_of_lifting on Instagram

The post Jonathan Cayco Sets an 8-Rep Back Squat PR of 260 Kilograms appeared first on Breaking Muscle.

Cayco wore a lifting belt, lifting straps, and knee sleeves during his set, which demonstrated his leg power. Watch a video of Cayco’s PR squat session below:

 

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Jonathan “Mr.Bench” Cayco (@league_of_lifting)

[Related: How to Do the Goblet Squat for Lower Body Size and Mobility]

According to Open Powerlifting, the 29-year-old Cayco has been competing in some capacity as a powerlifter since September 2015. In that time, Cayco has made a name for himself for his elite-level finishes.

In 14 career contests, most often as a Men’s Open competitor, Cayco has nine wins to his name. He’s missed the podium just twice — both were fourth-place finishes. Arguably the most noteworthy accomplishment of Cayco’s career to date is his victory in the 93-kilogram class at the 2021 International Powerlifting Federation (IPF) World Classic Powerlifting Championships.

Cayco also won the USA Powerlifting (USAPL) raw National Title twice (2019, 2021) and holds the current IPF bench press World Record of 238.5 kilograms (525.8 pounds), which he set at the 2022 IPF World Championships. 

Here’s an overview of some of Cayco’s more notable results to this point:

Jonathan Cayco* | Notable Career Results

• 2016 USAPL Southwest Regionals & Ferrigno Power Classic — First place | First career raw victory
• 2018 USAPL The Arnold SBD Pro American — First place
• 2019 USAPL California State Championships — First place
• 2019/2021 USAPL Raw Nationals — First place
• 2021 IPF World Classic Powerlifting Championships — First place
• 2022 AMP Classic Open Nationals — First Place
• 2022 IPF World Classic Powerlifting Championships — Third place 

*Note: 13 of Cayco’s 14 career appearances in sanctioned competition were as a Raw competitor. Those were all in the Men’s Open category.

Here’s a rundown of Cayco’s top lifts in competitions to date:

Jonathan Cayco | Top Career Lift Stats*

• Squat — 305 kilograms (672.4 pounds)
• Bench Press — 242.5 kilograms (534.6 pounds)
• Deadlift — 347.5 kilograms (766.1 pounds)
• Total — 892.5 kilograms (1,967.6 pounds)

*Note: These figures are all in the raw division.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Jonathan “Mr.Bench” Cayco (@league_of_lifting)

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Cayco’s Task Ahead

Entering as the defending champion at the 2022 IPF World Championships, Cayco ultimately lost the title thanks to a record-breaking performance by Chance Mitchell. At the time of this writing, Cayco has not confirmed when he will participate next in a sanctioned meet.

If the competition is domestic with the USAPL, Cayco will have to choose a new division between either 90 kilograms or 100 kilograms. USAPL’s change in bodyweight categories occurred in January 2022. If Cayco decides to stay at an international level — particularly with the IPF — the American athlete can continue competing at 93 kilograms. 

Wherever Cayco’s ambitions take him next, it seems clear he’ll return hungry and prepared to take a spot at the top of that podium. 

Featured image: @league_of_lifting on Instagram

The post Jonathan Cayco (93KG) Scores a Stunning 260-Kilogram (573-Pound) 5-Rep Squat PR appeared first on Breaking Muscle.

Check out a video of each of Lawrence’s lifts, courtesy of her Instagram profile: 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Amanda Lawrence (@miss.amanda.ann)

[Related: Powerlifter Tiffany Chapon Exceeds Total & Squat World Records While Training]

Here are Lawrence’s full results from the meet:

2022 AMP Classic Open Nationals — Amanda Lawrence (84KG)

• Squat — 242.5-kilograms (534.6 pounds)
• Bench Press — 130-kilograms (286.6 pounds)
• Deadlift — 253-kilograms (557.7 pounds)
• Total — 625.5-kilograms (1378.9 pounds)

Lawrence was not short on gratitude in expressing joy in her Instagram post. After thanking various people — including her “MVP coach,” Joseph Giovanni Ferratti, and fellow professional powerlifters, Calvin Tanner, Grant Ivarson, and Camden Wilson — she saved her arguable best words of appreciation for last. 

“Last but not least, thank you to the fans and everyone at home watching. Your support means everything and is what keeps me going,” Lawrence wrote in the post. 

Meanwhile, powerlifter Jessica Buettner chimed in with a simple but effective, “Easy lifts, goddamn.”

Indeed, it sometimes does seem like Lawrence makes the sport of powerlifting look easy. 

Consistent Excellence

Lawrence’s win at the 2022 AMP Classic Open Nationals is the latest in an impressive string of victories. The powerlifter now has six straight wins dating back to the 2019 International Powerlifting Federation (IPF) World Classic Powerlifting Championships.

Here are some of the more notable recent results from Lawrence’s young career:

• 2019 IPF World Classic Powerlifting Championships — 1st overall
• 2019 USA Powerlifting (USAPL) Raw Nationals — 1st overall 
• 2020 USAPL Gainsgiving Open — 1st overall
• 2021 USAPL Raw Nationals — 1st overall
• 2021 IPF World Classic Powerlifting Championships — 1st overall

The year 2019 might have been when Lawrence first truly broke into the elite powerlifting sphere. Back-to-back victories in that year’s IPF World Championships and the USAPL Raw Nationals were what began her recent streak of excellence.

Roughly two years later, in the 2021 IPF World Classic Powerlifting Championships, Lawrence broke three IPF World Records. Here are her full stats from that meet:

• Squat — 243.5 kilograms (536.8 pounds) | IPF World Record
• Bench Press — 132.5 kilograms (292.1 pounds)
• Deadlift — 260.5 kilograms (574.3 pounds) | IPF World Record
• Total — 636.5 kilograms (1,403.2 pounds) | IPF World Record

Preparing to Be Great

For someone still rising as a powerlifter, Lawrence’s perseverance through adversity might be what sets her apart. 

In a 2020 interview with BarBend, the powerlifter discussed why it’s imperative she trust herself. To Lawrence, perseverance is vital especially when unexpected roadblocks arise — like a hamstring injury right before the 2019 Raw Nationals. 

“I don’t know if I’m going to be able to hit the numbers I was setting out for because of a setback like that,” Lawrence said of her mindset after the injury. “It makes you second-guess and doubt yourself.”

Whatever Lawrence did to adjust — such as a therapy program that occasionally made her feel “defeated” — clearly worked. That meet saw her go on to break three then-world records with a 243-kilogram squat (535.7 pounds), a 252.5-kilogram bench press (556.66 pounds), and a 613-kilogram total (1,351 pounds). 

“I started this out for myself and to make myself happy,” Lawrence said.

Given the stellar results of Lawrence’s budding career thus far, it’s hard to argue with that kind of positive, self-fulfilling mindset.

The 2022 IPF World Classic Powerlifting Championships will take place on June 6-12, 2022, in Sun City, South Africa.

Featured image: @miss.amanda.ann

The post Powerlifter Amanda Lawrence Wins Best Overall Lifter at 2022 AMP Classic Open Nationals appeared first on Breaking Muscle.