The 2023 EPF European Open Classic Powerlifting Championships are slowly coming to an end, as they opened on December 4th and are set to close on December 9th. The second-to-last day of the competition featured multiple divisions, among them the men’s 120-kilogram weight class. Inderraj Singh Dhillon was the star of the show there, having moved some humongous weight throughout all events. Moreover, he ended up taking the title of European Champion and setting a new IPF World Record Deadlift of 395.5 kilograms (871.9 pounds).
Once the stage was set and 395.5 kilograms (871.9 pounds) were loaded onto a barbell, Inderraj Singh Dhillon secured his lifting belt in place and got fired up for the lift. He then got out on the platform, planted his feet for a conventional stance, and used a mixed grip to grab the bar. Once he started pulling, there was nothing that could have stopped him. So, Inderraj soon found himself in a locked out position of a record-breaking deadlift.
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Inderraj Singh Dhillon only missed one of his squat attempts, but the race for the title was so tight that that single miss could have cost him the title. In the end, Inderraj’s final deadlift of 395.5 kilograms (871.9 pounds) turned out to be perfect for a shot at gold. So, he did not just pull to break the record, but also to win the title.
With all events added up, both Inderraj Singh Dhillon and Jonah Wiendieck had a total of 920.5 kilograms (2,029.4 pounds). So, as per the tiebreaker rules, the title would go to the one who had a lower bodyweight. Well, believe it or not, Inderraj weighed in at 119.41 kilograms (263.3 pounds), while Jonah’s bodyweight was 119.45 kilograms (263.3 pounds). Meaning that Inderraj took the title due to a bodyweight difference of just 0.04 kilograms (0.09 pounds).
Squat
322.5 kilograms (711 pounds)
342.5 kilograms (755.1 pounds)
Unsuccessful — 349 kilograms (769.4 pounds)
Bench Press
175 kilograms (385.8 pounds)
180 kilograms (396.8 pounds)
182.5 kilograms (402.3 pounds)
Deadlift
347.5 kilograms (766.1 pounds)
380 kilograms (837.8 pounds)
395.5 kilograms (871.9 pounds) — U120KG IPF World Record
West Midlands Full Power and Bench Only Championships
M-C-Open
1714.1
471.48
Location
England
Competition
West Midlands Full Power and Bench Only Championships
Division
M-C-Open
Age
27
Equipment
Raw
Class
231.5
Weight
228.4
Squat
595.2
622.8
639.3
639.3
Bench
319.7
336.2
-352.7
336.2
Deadlift
683.4
716.5
738.5
738.5
GLP
96.6
4
BP
2018-09-01
British Mens Powerlifting Championships
M-C-Open
1642.4
453.96
Location
UK
Competition
British Mens Powerlifting Championships
Division
M-C-Open
Age
~26.5
Equipment
Raw
Class
231.5
Weight
225.8
Squat
595.2
-639.3
-639.3
595.2
Bench
319.7
336.2
-347.2
336.2
Deadlift
683.4
711
-733
711
GLP
93.07
Data Source: Open Powerlifting. Last Updated: August 17, 2023
This was Inderraj Singh Dhillon’s 12th sanctioned powerlifting appearance and his fourth win. Moreover, it is now his biggest title by far, as he is the champion of Europe now. With this win under his belt, the future could be even brighter for Inderraj. So, it will be exciting to see if he can defend the title next year and perhaps add some more to his resume.
If you have questions or need clarifications, please leave a comment below, and Vedad will respond promptly.
Vedad is a journalist specializing in strength sports, with three years of experience covering powerlifting, Olympic weightlifting, strongman, armwrestling and bodybuilding. He is a lifelong fitness enthusiast, passionate about all aspects of strength training. Vedad's in-depth knowledge of training methodologies and dedication to constant research fuel his insightful and engaging reporting. He works hard to deliver accurate content while continuously seeking to improve his craft.