On August 21, 2022, the Iranian athlete shared Instagram footage of himself capturing a raw 460-kilogram (1,014.3-pound) back squat during a training session to notch a new personal record (PR). Saki utilized lifting straps, wore a lifting belt, and had knee sleeves on while capturing the squat figure. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by shahram powerlifting (@shahram_power_lor)

[Related: How to Do the Bulgarian Split Squat for Leg Size, Strength, and Mobility]

According to Open Powerlifting, if Saki were to transfer this raw squat to an official competition, it would be the third-heaviest all-time, surpassing Craig Foster (457.5 kilograms/1,008.6 pounds). Only Jezza Uepa (470 kilograms/1,036.1 pounds) and Ray Williams (489.9 kilograms/1,080.2 pounds) would have higher official raw squats.

460 kilograms raw, I was born to break equations.

Saki’s new raw squat figure is 20 kilograms (44 pounds) more than his raw all-time competition best. The competitor squatted an Asian powerlifting record 440 kilograms (970 pounds) at the 2022 Iran Bodybuilding Federation (IranBBF) National Classic Powerlifting & Bench Press Championships in mid-April. That same contest saw Saki eventually score a 1,025-kilogram (2,259.7-pound) total — the highest in Asian powerlifting history. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by shahram powerlifting (@shahram_power_lor)

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

As impressive as Saki’s raw squat is, it doesn’t seem related to any upcoming competitions. At the time of this writing, Saki hasn’t given any indication of when he’ll appear on a sanctioned lifting platform next.

That said, the powerlifter usually makes a habit of showing off his progress and achievements with regular updates over his Instagram profile. Of late, Saki appears to have centered on improving his squat especially. Recent noteworthy sessions include a 430-kilogram (947.8-pound) raw squat double from mid-August and a 470-kilogram (1,036.1-pound) squat raw with wraps from earlier in the month. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by shahram powerlifting (@shahram_power_lor)

[Related: How to Do the Kettlebell Swing for Explosive Power, Strength, and Conditioning]

Among a litany of accomplishments, Saki captured a 510-kilogram (1,124.36-pound) squat raw with wraps in an early May 2022 workout. While some might have found the depth of Saki’s squat questionable because he didn’t necessarily reach the powerlifting competitive standard of below parallel — that achievement was five kilograms (11 pounds) more than Daniel Bell’s current all-time raw with wraps record. 

At the rapid pace Saki continues to make with his back squat and overall leg strength, he may make that record official whenever he competes again. 

Featured image: @shahram_power_lor on Instagram

The post Watch Powerlifter Shahram Saki (120KG+) Squat Over 1,000 Pounds Raw appeared first on Breaking Muscle.

On May 12, 2022, Saki shared footage of himself squatting 510 kilograms (1,124.36 pounds) during a training session. While unofficial because it occurred outside of a sanctioned competition, Saki’s figure surpasses Daniel Bell’s current all-time raw w/wraps record of 505 kilograms (1,113.3 pounds). Bell achieved that feat during the 2021 World Raw Powerlifting Federation (WRPF) Kern US Open. Both athletes typically compete in the 120-kilogram-plus division.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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[Related: Front Squat Versus Back Squat: Which One Is Best For You?]

Notably, some might find the depth of Saki’s squat questionable. He doesn’t — or barely does — reach the powerlifting competitive standard of below parallel (or getting his hip crease below the plane of his knees). As such, it potentially would not have counted in a full power meet.

A Powerful Profile

It’s been an eventful few weeks for Saki, to say the least.

Before notching this unofficial record squat w/wraps, the Iranian athlete recorded a 1025-kilogram (2,259.7-pound) total during the 2022 Iran Bodybuilding Federation (IranBBF) National Classic Powerlifting & Bench Press Championships in late April. That number gave Saki the highest total in Asian Powerlifting Federation (APF) history.

In the same competition, Saki broke the APF records with a squat of 440 kilograms (970 pounds) and a bench press of 235 kilograms (518.1 pounds). These three respective records surpassed Ray Williams’ 425.9-kilogram squat (939.1 pounds), 229.9-kilogram bench press (507 pounds), and 1008.4-kilogram total (2,223.3 pounds) from the 2015 APF Asia-Oceania Raw Championships.

Here’s a complete record of each of the three sanctioned competitions Saki has under his belt:

Shahram Saki (120KG+) | Career Results

• 2017 World Powerlifting Congress (WPC) Amateur European Championships (Amateur Open) — First place | W/Wraps
• 2021 IranBBF International Classic Club Powerlifting Championships (Open) — First place | Raw
• 2022 IranBBF National Classic Powerlifting & Bench Press Championships (Open) — First place | Raw

Meanwhile, here are Saki’s all-time competition bests. Notably, they are all from the 2022 IranBBF National Classic Powerlifting & Bench Press Championships:

Shahram Saki (120KG+) | Top Career Stats

• Squat — 440 kilograms (970 pounds) | APF Record | Iranian Record
• Bench Press — 235 kilograms (518.1 pounds) | APF Record | Iranian Record | PR
• Deadlift — 350 kilograms (771.6 pounds) | APF Record | PR
• Total — 1,025 kilograms (2,259.7 pounds) | APF Record | Iranian Record | PR

 

 

 

 

 

 

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[Related: Powerlifter Nicolaas Du Preez Squats 420 Kilograms (926 Pounds) With Ease During Training]

What’s Next

At the time of this writing, Saki has not announced any formal plans for his next sanctioned meet. The main updates that the athlete provides are of him capturing a usually staggering strength accomplishment on his Instagram. His feed has almost entirely consisted of heavy squats in recent weeks, which makes sense with his latest mark.

While Saki’s next competitive appearance is up in the air — for now — there is one thing to note for sure. If he can transfer over this massive squat from training (while getting more depth), he might soon be able to call himself a World Record holder.

Featured image: @shahram_power_lor on Instagram

The post Powerlifter Shahram Saki Squats 510 Kilograms, More Than the Raw W/Wraps All-Time World Record, in Training appeared first on Breaking Muscle.

First, Saki captured a raw 440-kilogram squat (970 pounds) — the highest in the history of Asia, per Open Powerlifting. Then he notched a 235-kilogram bench press (518.1 pounds), another number enough for the Asia record. By the meet’s end, he totaled 1,025 kilograms (2,259.7 pounds), yet again the highest in Asian powerlifting history. 

Check out a video of Saki’s record-breaking squat — where he donned a weightlifting belt and lifting straps — via his Instagram profile:

 

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by shahram powerlifting (@shahram_power_lor)

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

In addition to the three Asia records, Saki is now in possession of all four Iranian powerlifting records (squat, bench press, deadlift, and total) for someone competing in the 120-kilogram+ weight class. Naturally, these marks are also now his all-time best competition PRs.

American powerlifter Ray Williams previously held the Asian records for the squat, bench press, and total. Williams logged a 425.9-kilogram squat (939.1 pounds), a 229.9-kilogram (507 pounds), and a 1008.4-kilogram total (2,223.3 pounds) at the 2015 AsianPF (APF) Asia-Oceania Raw Championships. After his remarkable week, Saki has now eclipsed that squat by 14 kilograms (30.9 pounds), the bench press by 5 kilograms (11 pounds), and the total by 16.1 kilograms (36.4 pounds).

Note: Aside from Saki’s squat, there is no other video documentation, so any equipment he wore during his other lifts is unconfirmed. Here are Saki’s full stats from this recent meet:

Shahram Saki — 2022 IranBBF National Classic Stats

• Squat — 440 kilograms (970 pounds) | Asian Powerlifting Federation Record | Iranian Record | PR
• Bench Press — 235 kilograms (518.1 pounds) | Asian Powerlifting Federation Record | Iranian Record | PR
• Deadlift — 350 kilograms (771.6 pounds) | Iranian Record | PR
• Total — 1,025 kilograms (2,259.7 pounds) | Asian Powerlifting Federation Record | Iranian Record | PR

On the Rise

Saki’s strength feats are impressive, considering he doesn’t have much professional powerlifting experience.

Including the 2022 IranBBF National Classic, Saki has just three full power meets to his name. His first time on a pro platform was at the 2017 World Powerlifting Congress (WPC) Amateur European Championships, where he finished first. The other was the 2021 IranBBF International Club Classic Powerlifting Championships, where he also came out victorious. 

Saki’s performance in the 2021 IranBFF International Club Classic might provide an excellent comparison of what he’s capable of when fully dedicated to the powerlifting craft. To provide a better picture, here are his stats from that meet:

Shahram Saki — IranBBF International Club Classic Stats

• Squat — 425 kilograms (936.9 pounds)
• Bench Press — 217.5 kilograms (479.5 pounds)
• Deadlift — 337.5 kilograms (744 pounds)
• Total — 980 kilograms (2160.5 pounds)

In roughly four months, Saki improved upon his squat by 15 kilograms (33.1 pounds), his bench press by 17.5 kilograms (38.6 pounds), his deadlift by 12.5 kilograms (27.6 pounds), and his total by a staggering 44.9 kilograms (99.2 pounds). As Saki’s career unfolds, it will likely be challenging to keep up that progression from meet to meet. Still, his meteoric leap forward in recent months is worth noting. 

At the time of publishing, Saki has not formally announced his next powerlifting competition. If Saki’s recent precedent is any indication, he may break even more records whenever he steps onto a platform again. 

Featured image: @shahram_power_lor on Instagram

The post Powerlifter Shahram Saki Logs 1025-Kilogram Total (2,259.7 pounds), The Highest in Asia appeared first on Breaking Muscle.