The athlete wore knee sleeves, a lifting belt, and utilized wrist wraps to help him finish off this massive squat milestone.

The other vital portion of Orhii’s lift caption is that he notes his “next meet is gonna be crazy.” At the time of this writing, Orhii has not clarified when that sanctioned competition will come or that he was even training for a specific contest.

According to his page on Open Powerlifting, Orhii’s last meet was the 2022 USA Powerlifting (USAPL) Korea Winter Showdown. The athlete took home a first-place result in the first-ever appearance as a 90-kilogram competitor in his extended career. Orhii’s total of 885.2 kilograms (1,951.6 pounds) was not only his all-time raw competition best, it was the highest of any competitive powerlifter during the 2022 calendar year.

He additionally scored all-time raw competition bests on his bench press (195 kilograms/429.9 pounds), deadlift (350 kilograms/771.6 pounds), and squat (340 kilograms/749.5 pounds).

Orhii is on a seven-competition winning streak and has not fallen short of first place since a runner-up finish in the 2018 International Powerlifting Federation (IPF) World Classic Powerlifting Championships. The sterling powerlifter is a two-time International Powerlifting Federation (IPF) World Champion (2019, 2021) in the 83-kilogram division. Orhii has been competing as a powerlifter on sanctioned lifting platforms since November 2015, when he debuted as a Junior athlete.

Whenever Orhii does take to his “next meet,” it seems abundantly clear he’ll be prepared for any obstacles. At least, judging off his Instagram training clips.

Recent weeks have seen Orhii capture a 347-kilogram (765-pound) raw deadlift with ease, as well as capturing a three-rep squat with 306.1 kilograms (675 pounds) and an eight-rep bench press with 160.1 kilograms (353 pounds) with from mid-April 2023.

Orhii is not one to approach his lifts and competitive ventures in a timid fashion. His precedent suggests that he goes full steam ahead whenever it’s applicable. For this superstar powerlifting, another resounding performance in his next powerlifting contest might as well be written down in pen.

Featured image: @russwole on Instagram

The post Russel Orhii Records a 337.5-Kilogram (744-Pound) Squat Double PR appeared first on Breaking Muscle.

On Dec. 17, 2022, during the 2022 USA Powerlifting (USAPL) Korea Winter Showdown, Orhii put on a virtuoso performance when he captured a raw total of 885.2 kilograms (1,951.1 pounds). According to a caption from Orhii’s post about the sanctioned powerlifting meet, that total from Seoul, South Korea, is an all-time competition personal record (PR). Notably, the athlete moved up to the 90-kilogram weight class for the first time in his career during the contest and still flourished in his eventual first-place result while notching the highest total for any 90-kilogram powerlifter during the 2022 competitive year.

Here’s an overview of Orhii’s top stats at the 2022 USAPL Korea Winter Showdown, where he also attained respective PRs on the bench press (340 kilograms/749.5 pounds) and deadlift (350 kilograms/771.6 pounds) and matched his all-time best back squat of 195 kilograms (429.9 pounds).

The athlete wore a lifting belt and knee sleeves for his squat, just wrist wraps for his bench press, and completed his best deadlift utilizing only a belt.

Russell Orhii (90KG) | 2022 USAPL Korea Winter Showdown Top Stats

• Squat — 195 kilograms (429.9 pounds) | Matches All-Time Raw Competition Best
• Bench Press — 340 kilograms (749.5 pounds) | All-Time Raw Competition Best
• Deadlift — 350 kilograms (771.6 pounds) | All-Time Raw Competition Best
• Total — 885.2 kilograms (1,951.6 pounds) | All-Time Raw Competition Best

In his Instagram post, Orhii reflected on the performance and made it seem all too casual as he likely temporarily hangs up his lifting belt for the holiday season. When he returns sometime in 2023, this instance probably won’t be the last we see of Orhii shining under a bright spotlight.

“I decided to compete at 90 kilograms so I could enjoy the full Korean experience, which in turn led to me putting together a pretty good performance,” Orhii wrote. ” … The love and hospitality here in Korea have been absolutely insane. I’m truly grounded to see the outreach powerlifting has across the world, and I’m thankful to be able to inspire others to pick up the sport. This was such an amazing and unique experience that I’ll never forget. Thank you.”

Featured image: @russwole on Instagram

The post Russel Orhii (90KG) Scores 4 Competition Personal Records at 2022 USAPL Korea Winter Showdown appeared first on Breaking Muscle.

Domestically, in the 82.5-kilogram division, Orhii owns the USA Powerlifting (USAPL) raw American Records on the squat (320.5 kilograms/706.6 pounds) and total (838 kilograms/1,847.5 pounds). He notched his IPF record squat during the 2021 IPF Worlds, while he tallied his American Record at the 2022 USAPL Mega Nationals.

That isn’t stopping the powerlifting superstar, who doesn’t appear to rest on the laurels of his past accomplishments. On Dec. 4, 2022, Orhii showed how far he’s come with his strength when he shared an Instagram clip of himself locking out a 319.8-kilogram (705-pound) back squat for three reps.

Per the caption of Orhii’s post, the set is a new personal record (PR). Check it out below:

For context on Orhii’s latest display of unique power, his training feat is on par with some of his best-ever squat singles. The American athlete’s three-rep 319.8-kilogram (705-pound) back squat PR is just half a kilogram (one pound) off both his IPF World Record and American Record squats.

Meanwhile, Orhii’s three-rep PR is just 3.22 kilograms (7.1 pounds) off of his all-time raw competition best of 323 kilograms (712.1 pounds). That squat occurred at the 2021 USAPL Raw Nationals.

As for other recent training accomplishments, Orhii has stayed busy during the 2022 calendar year. In early April 2022, he ground through a 345-kilogram (760.5-pound) raw deadlift PR. In early October 2022, he crushed a 347-kilogram (765-pound) back squat PR.

Orhii’s focus seems to be centered around reps in the gym lately. Just a week prior to this latest three-rep squat PR, Orhii shared a clip where he powered through a 310-kilogram (683-pound) squat for four reps. He destroyed a 288-kilogram (635-pound) squat for six reps five weeks beforehand.

Orhii’s work is likely connected to an upcoming powerlifting contest in late December 2022. At the time of this writing, he has not disclosed when that competition will precisely occur or what it is.

Orhii previously alluded to dipping his toes into competitive bodybuilding but never provided a concrete update on when he would appear on stage.

Regardless of what Orhii’s future holds, it’s evident that he isn’t yet fully satisfied with his illustrious resume. With that in mind, expect plenty of milestones and rousing performances to come from this powerlifting dynamo.

Featured image: @russwole on Instagram

The post Russel Orhii “Gets Even” With a 319.8-Kilogram (705-Pound) Three-Rep Squat PR appeared first on Breaking Muscle.

On Oct. 4, 2022, Orhii shared an Instagram video of himself capturing a 347-kilogram (765-pound) back squat during a workout. According to the caption of the athlete’s post, it’s an all-time personal record (PR). The squat in training is 24 kilograms (52.9 pounds) more than Orhii’s all-time raw competition best. He achieved that figure during a first-place performance at the 2021 USA Powerlifting (USAPL) Raw Nationals contest. Orhii wore a lifting belt, wrist wraps, and knee sleeves to help with the successful lockout.

 

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A post shared by Russel Orhii (@russwole)

[Related: Back Squat Vs. Front Squat: Which, When, and Why]

In what is undoubtedly typical Orhii fashion, he approached the massive squat with a lot of energy and enthusiasm. Even before Orhii stepped into the squat rack and under his barbell, his hopping around and dancing beforehand made it evident the powerlifter was quite confident about notching a new milestone.

Meanwhile, the comments of Orhii’s squat PR post featured one of his esteemed powerlifting peers, the prolific deadlifting extraordinaire Jamal Browner. At first, Browner, who is seen in the video spotting Orhii during the lift, notes that he was “scared” Orhii wouldn’t finish the squat once he saw some slight hesitation in the athlete’s launch. However, Browner then fittingly “remembered” Orhii usually completes massive lifts he sets out for.

Indeed, after winning the 2022 USAPL Mega Nationals in the 82-kilogram weight class in early June, it’s been quite a successful summer and early fall for Orhii. Before he scored this all-time squat PR, Orhii notched a 351.5 (775-pound) deadlift during a late September 2022 training session. Respective lifts like this appear connected to an upcoming (but unspecified) strength sports competition.

In some of Orhii’s previous posts, he had alluded to a foray into bodybuilding but never noted an exact time he planned to pose on a stage. At the time of this writing, he is approximately 11 weeks out from this powerlifting or bodybuilding contest as per Orhii’s comment on another recent Instagram post.

To put Orhii’s new squat and deadlift PRs into more context, here’s an overview of the powerlifter’s all-time raw competition bests:

Russel Orhii | All-Time Raw Competition Bests

• Squat — 323 kilograms (712.1 pounds)
• Bench Press — 195 kilograms (429.9 pounds)
• Deadlift — 333 kilograms (734.1 pounds)
• Total — 843 kilograms (1,858.5 pounds)

 

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A post shared by Russel Orhii (@russwole)

[Related: How to Do The Hack Squat — Benefits, Variations, and More]

With Orhii’s latest training achievement in the books and another competition on the horizon, it’s clear the superstar has a full plate. Not that this lifting dynamo would want it any other way.

Featured image: @russwole on Instagram

The post Russel Orhii Crushes a New 765-Pound Squat PR appeared first on Breaking Muscle.