Joshua Ngoka (U120KG) Sets Raw Squat & Total IPF Junior World Records to Win 2026 IPF World Junior Classic Championships

Great Britain’s Joshua Ngoka delivered a dominant performance at the 2026 IPF World Sub Junior & Junior Classic Powerlifting Championships, held in Sun City, South Africa, on August 18-29. Competing in the U120KG weight category, Ngoka put on a masterclass of strength on the international platform. By the time the event concluded, he had rewritten the history books by establishing two new IPF Junior World Records in the squat and total.

Joshua Ngoka opened his squat performance with an effortless 347.5-kilogram (766.1-pound) lift to lock in his spot on the board. Moving right along to his second attempt, Ngoka jumped straight up to 365 kilograms (804.7 pounds), indicating that he was aiming for the world record. He sank it deep, drove through the sticking point without slowing down, and locked it out to set himself up for a massive final lift.

For his third and final squat attempt, Joshua Ngoka called for a world-record weight of 373 kilograms (822.3 pounds). Unfazed by the massive load on his shoulders, he unracked the bar, slowly descended to the required depth, and exploded back up to lock out the lift and receive cheers from the venue. The successful attempt officially crowned him with a brand-new IPF Junior World Record in the squat. Since he competed in the raw division, Joshua was only allowed to use a pair of knee sleeves, a lifting belt, and wrist wraps to complete the lift.

*Joshua Ngoka held the previous U120KG Raw Squat IPF Junior World Record of 372.5-kg (821.2-lb). He set the record at the 2026 IPF World Classic Powerlifting Championships.

Watch the squat here:

Related: William Ball (U93KG) Sets IPF Open Total & Two Junior World Records at 2026 IPF World Championships

Joshua Ngoka’s Full Performance Breakdown

Weighing in officially at 119.6 kilograms (263.7 pounds), Ngoka produced a perfect 9-for-9 performance without missing a single attempt across all three disciplines. His flawless run earned him first place in the division, securing the World Championship title along with a record-breaking 980.5-kilogram (2,161.6-pound) Total.

Squat

• 347.5 kilograms (766.1 pounds)
• 365 kilograms (804.7 pounds)
• 373 kilograms (822.3 pounds) — IPF Junior World Record

Bench Press

• 205 kilograms (451.9 pounds)
• 215 kilograms (474 pounds)
• 220 kilograms (485 pounds)

Deadlift

• 340 kilograms (749.6 pounds)
• 372.5 kilograms (821.2 pounds)
• 387.5 kilograms (854.3 pounds)

Total — 980.5 kilograms (2161.6 pounds) — IPF Junior World Record

*Nonso Chinye held the previous U120KG Raw Total IPF Junior World Record of 965-kg (2,127.5-lb), which he set at the 2025 EPF European Open Classic Powerlifting Championship.

Related: Zuzanna Mazur (U76KG) Scores Raw Squat & Deadlift IPF Junior World Record at 2025 European Junior Classic Powerlifting Championships

Joshua Ngoka has been competing in powerlifting for four years so far, during which he accumulated 15 sanctioned appearances and claimed 10 victories. His win at the 2026 IPF World Junior Championships is one of his greatest achievements yet, alongside the gold medal he claimed at the 2023 EPF European Sub-Junior Championships.