Elias Engquist has put his name down in the history books with his most recent appearance at the 2026 FIBO, which took place on April 16-19 in Cologne, Germany. The young 22-year-old lifter participated in the Strict Curl competition, where he ended up setting a brand-new 114.25-kilogram (251.8-pound) World Record.
The competition was held at the 2026 FIBO Germany but was specifically organized and sanctioned by WRPF (World Raw Powerlifting Federation) and named ‘German International Barbarian Battle’. It featured multiple standard powerlifting divisions, along with the Strict Curl class of its own.
Elias Engquist weighed in at 151.76 kilograms (334.6 pounds) for the competition, boasting a large and muscular frame ready to lift some incredible weight. He opened up with a 106.5-kilogram (234.8-pound) Strict Curl on his first attempt. Having seen how smoothly the lift went, Elias remained confident in his plan and loaded 114.25 kilograms (251.8 pounds) for his second attempt.
While setting up for the record-breaking lift, Elias Engquist made sure to place his heels on the designated line on the floor while also making sure that his buttocks and upper back were in constant contact with the vertical wall throughout the entire lift. The first part of his curl was fast and smooth, but the struggle began approximately halfway through. From there, it was all about Elias’ determination, which he did not lack any of. So, he continued curling the barbell at a steady pace until he achieved the new World Record.
“New all time STRICT CURL World record!
114.25 KG with sub par conditions but we made it happen!
Couldn’t be happier with the outcome of this prep and thank you to both my coaches and my wife for supporting me through this prep every single day!” wrote Elias Engquist on Instagram.
Watch Elias Engquist’s lift here:
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The previous Strict Curl World Record was held by Leroy Walker, also known as ‘The Machine’. He lifted 114 kilograms (251.3 pounds) back in 2021, which remained untouched for five years until Elias Engquist broke it. Leroy’s record did not come without controversy at the time, since Nizami Tagiev rejected the record and shared a 115-kilogram (253.5-pound) Strict Curl of his own. However, the lift was not confirmed, meaning that Leroy’s lift was widely recognized as the official record.
The world-famous arm wrestler Denis Cyplenkov held the record before Leroy Walker. This goes to prove just how incredible Elias Engquist is, having managed to beat such accomplished athletes. Moreover, being just 22 years of age, Elias is likely to continue improving for years to come.
Elias Engquist excels in other lifts apart from the strict curl, as seen by his countless impressive Instagram posts. Most notably, Engquist is incredible when it comes to the bench press, where he can easily perform multiple repetitions with over 226.8 kilograms (500 pounds).
Related: Lee Priest Admits To Using Fake Weights In Strict Curl Video
Elias Engquist is a truly unique and generational talent, which, paired with his hard work, makes him one of the strongest men in the world. His size and strength have left a number of prominent strength figures impressed, including Devon Larratt, who mentioned that strict curl strength often carries over well to arm wrestling, potentially hinting that Elias could have a bright future in the sport if he ever decided to try it.
