To help him with this new milestone, the younger Nicholls was spotted by his father, Chad. The senior Nicholls is a renowned bodybuilding trainer and nutritionist, perhaps most famous for his diligent work with eight-time Mr. Olympia (1998-2005) Ronnie Coleman and former two-time Mr. Olympia (2020-2021) Mamdouh “Big Ramy” Elssbiay. It appears his son is continuing to live up to an illustrious family name in strength sports — his mother, Kim Chizevsky-Nicholls, is a four-time Ms. Olympia (1996-1999).

Based on the tenor of Nicholls’ lift, an achievement like this might have almost been inevitable. In fact, a general perusal of Nicholls’ Instagram page will provide evidence that the athlete has been steadily but surely working on his bench press in recent months. For example, in late November 2022, Nicholls achieved his first 226.8-kilogram (500-pound) bench press. Fast-forward to early May 2023, where Nicholls shared a video of himself finishing off a 224.5-kilogram (495-pound) paused bench press for two sets of one.

In that same post, Nicholls revealed he underwent ACL surgery in early January 2023. The athlete had apparently suffered the injury sometime at the end of his high school football season in late Fall 2022, but it was initially “misdiagnosed.” Nicholls did not provide precise details on the extent of his tear, on which leg it occurred, or any specific rehabilitation methods and subsequent recovery timelines.

What’s apparent is that the ACL injury may have slowed some of his progress to start the year 2023. The video of his 495-pound bench press was Nicholls’ first post in roughly five months, which would align with his surgery and recovery timeline. At the time of this article’s publication, Nicholls understandably does not appear to have attempted any staple leg exercises like the back squat or deadlift since his surgery. Based on his social media presence, the last he left off with both lifts were a raw 288-kilogram (635-pound) deadlift PR from early December 2022 and a 247.2-kilogram (545-pound) squat with wraps PR in April 2022.

At the time of this writing, it is unclear when Nicholls plans to dive head-first into some of his lower body movements. Given his youth, the athlete is likely taking his recovery time slow, easing his way back into his entire training routine with a safe process.

That said, if Nicholls is already logging massive bench PRs in his comeback, a return to being an all-around powerhouse seems inevitable.

Featured image: @raising_mayhem on Instagram

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On Nov. 28, 2022, Nicholls shared an Instagram clip of himself successfully locking out a 233.6-kilogram (515-pound) bench press with wrist wraps. According to the caption of his post, the pressing feat is a personal record (PR) for the young athlete. Considering Nicholls’ age, it might be even more impressive how easily the lift appears to come to him the moment he lowers his stacked barbell onto his chest.

Nicholls’ bench press PR might be a seamless follow to what has been a productive 2022 for the powerlifter. In April 2022, Nicholls captured a 274.3-kilogram (605-pound) deadlift during a training session. If the pull were to occur in an official meet, it would’ve surpassed Arslan Bochkaryov’s World Record 250-kilogram deadlift (551.1-pound) in the 90-kilogram weight class by over 20 kilograms (44 pounds). 

While he’s already showing off incredible power for his age (or any age), Nicholls doesn’t have an extensive powerlifting history. According to Open Powerlifting, the athlete has participated in just one sanctioned meet thus far — the 2020 Southern Powerlifting Federation (SPF) GP Summer Bash. He came in first place in the Teenage 13-15 division while competing in the 90-kilogram weight class with wraps.

Here’s an overview of Nicholls’ only official powerlifting contest appearance to date:

Morgan Nicholls | 2020 SPF GP Summer Bash Top Stats

• Squat (w/Wraps) — 204.1 kilograms (450 pounds)
• Bench Press (Raw) — 147.4 kilograms (325 pounds)
• Deadlift (Raw) — 206.4 kilograms (455 pounds)
• Total — 557.9 kilograms (1,230 pounds)

At the time of this writing, Nicholls hasn’t outlined when he plans to feature as a powerlifter again. That doesn’t mean he isn’t staying busy. Even quickly glancing at his Instagram bio should disclose he has quite a jam-packed schedule. When not crushing it as a lifter, Nicholls is a running back and linebacker for his high school football team, and even participates in track and field as a discus thrower.

While it’s not certain where he’ll take his talents next, it’s obvious Nicholls is an ambitious athlete. He might be receiving pushes from his father Chad Nicholls, who has trained famous bodybuilders like eight-time Mr. Olympia Ronnie Coleman and Mamdouh “Big Ramy” Elssbiay. The young Nicholls might even be trying to live up to his mother’s strength sports legacy — a four-time Ms. Olympia and International Federation of Bodybuilding and Fitness (IFBB) Hall of Famer in Kim Chizevsky-Nicholls.

He’s certainly not falling short of living up to his parents’ reputations thus far.

Featured image: raising_mayhem on Instagram

The post 16-Year-Old Morgan Nicholls Scores a Massive 233.6-Kilogram (515-Pound) Bench Press appeared first on Breaking Muscle.

Had Nicholls achieved the pull during a competition, it would’ve eclipsed Arslan Bochkaryov’s world record 250-kilogram deadlift (551.1-pound) in the 90-kilogram weight class by over 20 kilograms. Bochkaryov captured the Teenage 13-15 division all-time mark at the 2020 FPR Russian Juniors & Sub-Juniors Classic Powerlifting Championships. 

Check out the staggering pull, courtesy of Nicholls’ Instagram profile:

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Morgan “Mayhem” Nicholls (@raising_mayhem)

[Related: Powerlifter Tiffany Chapon Exceeds Total & Bench Press World Records, Again, In Training]

Nicholls completed the deadlift using a conventional stance, used a mixed barbell grip, and wore only a lifting belt.

Nicholls in Context

Nicholls is no stranger to making waves as a lifter despite his youth.

For one, according to Open Powerlifting, Nicholls’ previous deadlift high during a competition is 206.38 kilograms (455 pounds). He notched that mark at the 2020 Southern Powerlifting Federation (SPF) GP Summer Bash while competing in the Teenage 13-15 division — his only sanctioned meet to date.

Roughly a half-year later, in January 2021, Nicholls gained notoriety for a 183.6-kilogram bench press (405 pounds). If achieved during a competition, it would’ve been the second-heaviest-ever bench press in the Teenage 13-15 division — second only to Colin Grebel’s 205-kilogram bench press (452-pound) from the 2014 APF Gary Pendergrass Memorial Meet.

Everything feeling good took 605 for a ride for a new PR.

Before this latest unofficial record feat, Nicholls had recently posted Instagram videos of his rapid training progression — deadlifting as much as 265.35 kilograms (585 pounds). He may well make another meteoric rise up very soon.

Building a Legacy

Why Nicholls is proving to be one of the youngest and strongest lifters around might not be a secret. His mother is Kim Chizevsky-Nicholls — a four-time Ms. Olympia winner, a member of the IFBB Hall of Fame, and a person who some regard as one of the greatest female bodybuilders of all time.

By that same lineage token, Nicholls’ father is Chad Nicholls, a trainer for some of the biggest names in bodybuilding like eight-time Mr. Olympia Ronnie Coleman, four-time Arnold Classic Champion Flex Wheeler, and current Mr. Olympia Mamdouh “Big Ramy” Elssbiay.

Chad Nicholls expressed admiration for his son’s unofficial record feat over social media.

“Just another day in the office with the boys, which by the way, is literally my favorite part of the day,” Nicholls wrote of his son. [Morgan Nicholls] hitting a new deadlift PR 605 heavy-a** pounds.”

At the time of publishing, Morgan nor his parents have shared when his next formal competition will be. There’s likely no rush, though, given how far Nicholls has come with his strength.

Featured image: @raising_mayhem on Instagram

The post 15-Year-Old Morgan Nicholls Records 605-Pound Deadlift in Training for Unofficial World Record appeared first on Breaking Muscle.