Rory Van Ulft is arguably the greatest young prospect in the strength community, as she is just 11-years-old but is lifting weights that are unfathomable even for girls significantly older than her. Despite still being in her pre-teen years, Rory has recently managed to lock out a mind-blowing 121-kilogram (266.8-pound) Zercher Squat in training.
Weighing in at approximately 38 kilograms (83.8 pounds), Rory Van Ulft’s Zercher Squat came out to be over 3.15x her bodyweight. This would be an incredible achievement for every athlete, let alone one who is just 11-years-old. However, this is becoming a standard for Rory since the proportions of her lifts are always impressive.
In order to perform her Zercher Squat, Rory Van Ulft put on a pair of elbow sleeves with the goal of easing the pain that comes with holding the barbell in this manner. Moreover, she used a strap that went around her neck, which helped her hold on to the immensely heavy bar.
When it came to the lift, Rory set up a wide stance and braced for the challenge. She then dropped down below parallel, similar to how she does during her snatch or clean & jerk lifts. However, because of this, the ascent was even more difficult for her. In turn, Rory had to grind for a few seconds, rising inch by inch, until she finally reached full lockout.
Watch Rory Van Ulft’s video here:
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Rory Van Ulft’s 121-kilogram (266.8-pound) Zercher Squat is impressive in multiple ways. Most notably, it is heavier than the U43KG Sub-Junior IPF Standard Squat World Record. So, although the Zercher squat is notoriously more difficult than the standard one, Rory is still able to unofficially outperform the World Record by 13 kilograms (28.7 pounds).
It is not surprising to see Rory Van Ulft unofficially beat world records, as she recently had a similar achievement. Specifically, she locked out a 77-kilogram (169.8-pound) Clean & Jerk, which was heavier than the U17-YO World Record as well.
All things considered, it is clear that Rory would be successful in multiple sports. However, she has dedicated herself to Weightlifting, and her career is already impressive. At 11-years-old, Rory is already a 5x Youth National Champion. Moreover, she was the youngest person ever to achieve a Clean & Jerk of 2x her bodyweight back in 2023.
Moreover, Rory Van Ulft is hopeful of competing in the Olympics at some point of her life. Well, that goal is already looking very realistic, since she is stronger than her peers and even those older than her.
Related: 9-Year-Old Rory Van Ulft Deadlifts Gargantuan 111-kg (244.7-lb); 3.43x Her Bodyweight
Rory Van Ulft’s 121-kilogram (266.8-pound) Zercher Squat is another incredible achievement on her resume, alongside success in weightlifting, gymnastics, and her appearance at the Canada’s Got Talent show. So, it is definitely worth keeping an eye on the further development of Rory’s career.
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