2021 Kern US Open Recap – Two Days of World Record Breaking Events

The 2021 Kern US Open took place in San Diego, CA, on April 24 and 25, ending with a list of brand-new world records. There were some firsts in the world, and some new athletes rising to the top of their game in a single lift. Among the firsts was the heaviest raw deadlift by a woman, Hunter Henderson, and Chad Penson is now a name that everybody is talking about.

Here is a look at the overall results.

The Wilks Score Explained

In order to reach the fairest comparison between athletes, placings are calculated using a system called the Wilks score. While athletes have the opportunity to compete for the top of their divisions, the Kern US Open also gave awards to the top three lifters based on Wilks score.

That score is calculated using a points system, which takes into account the athlete’s total lifted weight and compares that to their overall body weight. The highest Wilks score across every division is the winner.

Men’s Winners

For the men, Chad Penson took home the highest Wilks Points, and $25,000 as well. These were the overall results:

• First Place – Chad Penson, 642 Wilks Points, $25,000
• Second Place – Dan Bell, 632 Wilks Points, $10,000
• Third Place – John Haack, 619 Wilks Points, $5,000

Women’s Winners

For the women, Marianna Gasparyan won in the 56-kilogram division and also for overall women with a Wilks score of 692. Hunter Henderson was a sight to behold and had a lot of people talking after her record-breaking event, but placed second overall for the women.

• First Place – Marianna Gasparyan, 692 Wilks Points, $25,000
• Second Place – Hunter Henderson, 672 Wilks Points, $10,000
• Third Place – Ashley Garcia, 644 Wilks Points, $5,000

2021 Kern US Open Records

Rules at this meet allowed for knee sleeves over knee wraps for the squat event, a rule used by John Haack. All records crushed during the 2021 Kern US Open took place in the Raw With Wraps division.

Chad Penson Made History Twice

On Day One, Chad Penson gave powerlifting a new face by becoming the first male to squat 400kg/881lb, Raw With Wraps in the 90kg-weight-class. For his bench press, he lifted 232.5 kg and ended the first day of the Open with a 364kg deadlift. His 997.5kg total became the new all-time-world record which was 11 times his bodyweight.

Related: Powerlifter Chad Penson Becomes First Man to Squat 400 kg in 90kg-Weight Class Raw and Breaks TWR

Dan Bell Crushes All-Time-World Record With 505kg Squat

Dan Bell is having a great year and could finish now and still be proud. During February’s 2021 Hybrid Showdown II, Dan Bell became the first man to total 2,600lbs. By the time he got to San Diego, he was ready to hit some new marks.

The record for 500 kg squat was held by three men prior to the Kern Open. Dan Bell took that up a notch by 5 kilos, roughly over 10 pounds, and landed the new record of 505kg. It was the heaviest squat lifted for the entire event in the Raw With Wraps category.

Hunter Henderson Claims Two All-Time World Records

Hunter Henderson made women in powerlifting proud, and had competitors on the edge of their seats, by taking home two world records. Her first was a 295kg squat, a record where she unseated prior record-holder Kristy Hawkins, Henderson’s judge for the event.

Henderson also added a 147.5kg bench and 260kg deadlift to her resume of records and finished with a total 702.5 kg. In so doing, the last world record got a jump of 12kg, and Henderson made world history by being the first woman in 75 kg to ever lift that much and break the 700 kg barrier.

Jennessa Labbate Takes Home the Deadlift World Record of 563.2kg

Jennessa Labbate made a showing in the 67kg division. Her squat clocked in at 227.5kg/501.5lbs, and she landed a 132.5kg/292.1lb bench press. She crushed a deadlift at 255.5kg/563.2lb ATWR, beating the prior record-holder placed in 2019 by Galina Abramova whose record was 255kg.

Sara Schiff Lifts 287kg For New ATWR

Sara Schiff was another female competitor that hit a world record. Her 287kg raw deadlift was another talking point of the day as she took home a new record by beating the prior by barely 2 kilos. The previous record was Jessica Springer’s 285.8kg record. This puts Sara at the top of the women’s 90-kg plus division.

Blake Lehew Logs Heaviest Total At 82.5kg Bodyweight

Blake Lehew logged a record clocking in at 11 times his body weight with a total of 910kg in the 82.5kg weight class. His stats included a 340kg-squat, a 227.5kg-bench press, and a 342.5kg deadlift.

While there were obvious standouts at the 2021 Kern US Open, we feel all of the competitors who participated should be acknowledged for their performances. 

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