Powerlifter John LaFlamme is entering the 44th year of his powerlifting career and is still improving his numbers. John is proving that age is just a number, and is bringing the “old man’s strength” to a whole new level. He recently took part in the 2022 United States Virgin Island Powerlifting Federation (USVIPF) Classic & Equipped National Championships and won the Masters IV, 83 kg division. Alongside that, John Unofficially broke the IPF Squat World Record with a 193.5 kg (426.5 lbs) lift.
John competes in the raw division, and this win secured him a place at the 2022 IPF World Classic & Equipped Masters Powerlifting Championships. The competition will take place from October 9-15, 2022, in Newfoundland, Canada.
His squat is also the Master’s IV, 83 kg category Unofficial IPF World Record, as the current record is 0.5 kg (1.1 lbs) lighter than his recent squat. The record is also held by John LaFlamme, having squatted 193 kg (425.5 lbs) at the 2021 IPF World Classic Powerlifting Championships.
You can watch John LaFlamme’s 193.5 kg squat here:
Related: Video: 86-Year-Old Barbara Rawlings Completes One Year Of Weight Training
Level Up Your Fitness: Join our 💪 strong community in Fitness Volt Newsletter. Get daily inspiration, expert-backed workouts, nutrition tips, the latest in strength sports, and the support you need to reach your goals. Subscribe for free!
John LaFlamme’s Full Performance
Squat
- 175 kg (385.8 lbs)
- 187.5 kg (413.4 lbs)
- 193.5 kg (426.6 lbs)
Bench Press
- 95 kg (209.5 lbs)
- 100 kg (220.5 lbs)
- 105 kg (231.5 lbs)
Deadlift
- Unsuccessful – 215 kg (474 lbs)
- Unsuccessful – 215 kg (474 lbs)
- 215 kg (474 lbs)
It looked like John was going to have a flawless competition until he got to the deadlifts. He set his opener to 215 kg (474 lbs) and failed the first two attempts. Luckily, Total got the third attempt, which saved his total from bombing out.
- Total: 513.5 kg (1132.1 lbs)
Related: 62-yo Powerlifter David Ricks Raw Squats 325kg (716lbs) Double PR
John LaFlamme’s Career and Achievements
John Laflamme started competing at 27-years-old, and his first competition was the 1978 AAU Maine State Powerlifting Championship. Since then, he has taken part in over 40 competitions, and found outstanding success in the sport. John won multiple USAPL Raw Nationals, but his greatest achievement is probably the win at the 2021 IPF World Classic Powerlifting Championships.
All of John’s competition PRs came in the Masters’ category, and it is impressive just how much strength he kept, stepping into the 7th decade of his life.
John Laflamme’s competition PRs:
- Squat: 210 kg (462.9 lbs) (2018 USAPL Virginia State Championships)
- Bench Press: 112.5 kg (248 lbs) (2018 USAPL Virginia State Championships)
- Deadlift: 245 kg (540.1 lbs) (2016 USAPL American Open & Police-Fire Nationals)
- Total: 557.5 kg (1229 lbs) (2018 USAPL Virginia State Championships)
Related: Jimmy Kolb Sets A Historic New Equipped Bench Press All-Time Heaviest Lift of 598.7 kg (1,320 lbs)
Related: 70-Year-Old Rudy Kadlub Nails 229kg/505-lb Deadlift For Two
John LaFlamme is lifting some impressive weight, which a lot of younger athletes can’t even get close to. John is currently ranked as the best lifter over the age of 70, but he wants to improve even more.