Austin Perkins is often regarded as the greatest pound-for-pound powerlifter in the world. As such, many were excited to watch him compete at the 2026 IPF World Classic Open Powerlifting Championships on June 15th in Druskininkai, Lithuania. Perkins did not disappoint, having managed to defend his title and set a new 344-kilogram (758.4-pound) Raw Deadlift U74KG IPF World Record.
Austin Perkins knew exactly what he wanted to achieve during the deadlift session. However, he first loaded 332.5 kilograms (733 pounds) to test his strength and warm up for the record-breaking lift. As expected, his opener moved smoothly, and it boosted his confidence for the challenge ahead.
Not wanting to waste any energy, Austin Perkins decided to load 344 kilograms (758.4 pounds) for his second deadlift attempt. This was the exact weight he needed to chip the U74KG World Record by 0.5 kilograms (1.1 pounds). He used his standard technique, combining a sumo stance with a mixed grip, while also using no equipment whatsoever. The lift was absolutely perfect, as Austin showed no signs of struggle throughout the entire movement.
*Ilia Marichev held the previous U74KG Raw Deadlift IPF World Record of 343.5 kilograms (757.3 pounds). He set the record at the 2026 AsianPF Asian University Powerlifting Championships.
Watch the deadlift here:
Austin Perkins’ Full Performance Overview
Ever since he made his IPF debut back in 2024, Austin Perkins has maintained a perfect win streak at the IPF World Classic Open Powerlifting Championships. As a result, he won his third consecutive title at the 2026 edition of the competition and proved once again that he is by far the greatest lifter in his weight class. For reference, the silver medalist lifted 86.5 kilograms (190.7 pounds) less than Austin in total. It is also important to note that Perkins attempted seven lifts and only missed one. He decided to scratch his final bench press and deadlift attempts, which goes to show that he definitely had more in the tank.
Squat
- 325 kilograms (716.5 pounds)
- 340 kilograms (749.6 pounds)
- Unsuccessful — 345 kilograms (760.6 pounds)
Bench Press
- 197.5 kilograms (435.4 pounds)
- 207.5 kilograms (457.5 pounds)
- Did Not Attempt
Deadlift
- 332.5 kilograms (733 pounds)
- 344 kilograms (758.4 pounds) — U74KG IPF World Record
- Did Not Attempt
Total — 891.5 kilograms (1,965.4 pounds)
Watch all of Austin’s lifts here:
Related: Tiffany Chapon (U47KG) Sets Raw Squat and Total IPF World Records at 2026 IPF World Championships
With a decade of experience in powerlifting, Austin Perkins is a true living legend of the sport. He initially competed in the USAPL, where he won multiple high-profile competitions. He ultimately decided to transition to the IPF with the aim of competing on the international stage. This proved to be the correct decision, as he went on to win three IPF World Championships and the 2026 IPF Sheffield Powerlifting Championships.
