Finnish Powerlifter Asko Karu has made some insane progress over the past year and is someone to seriously keep an eye on. In a recent training session, he pulled (conventional) a crazy 472kg/1040 lbs which is just 64 lbs/29 kg shy of Strongman Hafthor Bjornsson’s 501kg/1104lb all-time world record.
To make matters even more impressive, he used an Eleiko powerlifting bar that is stiffer than a deadlift/Texas bar, plus he didn’t use a suit or figure-8 lifting straps. This would be considered the heaviest deadlift ever performed without a suit from what we understand.
He’s introduced himself into a new category of conversation. And did we mention he’s only in his late 20s…
Check out the lift below…
Related: Hafthor Bjornsson Deadlifts 501kg and Sets All-time World Record
Last year, the Karu nailed a 925lb deadlift double in training and was working toward a 1000 lb deadlift of which he smashed through and is now part of an elite group of lifters.
In early March he achieved a 442kg/974 lb deadlift PR and without a belt or suit which is madness.
He then achieved a new lifetime PR of 462kg/1018 lbs in a singly-ply suit about a week later before more recently achieving his all-time best 472kg/1040 lbs.
11 Best Lifting Straps Reviewed for 2021
There’s even been some comparison to the elite Benedikt “Benni” Magnusson (raw deadlift world record holder) regarding his deadlift form and even physical appearance a little. But at such a young age, the sky is the limit for Asko Karu and after this impressive lift, it would not be surprising to see him match or surpass Thor’s 501kg all-time deadlift record with a deadlift bar and suit sometime in the near future.
Karu typically competes in the deadlift only while having much success. But now he’s a serious threat to the world record and could have a chance to prove it at the Giants Live Deadlift Championships in August 2021.
Want to learn more about powerlifting? Check here for our in-depth guides.
