The 2021 USA Powerlifting Nationals delivered some exciting action throughout its runtime. Among the list of many athletes landing new records was longtime veteran David Ricks, who scored a pair of American Masters Division Records.
At 61 years old, Ricks has a mind blowing four decades of competitive experience on his powerlifting resume. Despite this, it seems that he continues to defy age and improve with each passing year.
This was seen at the 2021 USAPL Nationals, where Ricks scored not one, but two new American Records in the Masters Over 60 division at 93 kilograms. These records came from his massive 317.5kg (700lb) squat, and 202.5kg (446.5lb) bench press done at this meet.
These are the top three lifts from David Ricks at the 2021 USA Powerlifting Nationals:
- Squat: 317.5kg (700lb) New American Record
- Bench Press: 202.5kg (446.5lb) New American Record
- Deadlift: 282.5kg (623lb)
- Total: 802.5kg (1,769.5lb)
Check out a video of David’s best squat, bench press, and deadlift with the video below, courtesy of King of the Lifts.
David Ricks Reacts To New Records
This is by no means the first time that David Ricks has set new American Records. In fact, the squat and bench records that he captured at the 2021 USAPL Nationals were just extensions of the records that he already held.
On top of that, these two new American Records are also being classified as unofficial world records in the same categories. The reason they are not official is because of the fact that this meet was not International, so world records set here are not recognized as official.
Nevertheless, this is still a moment that David Ricks was proud of, as he explained with a post to his Instagram. Here he recapped the meet, and thanks his friends and family for their support.
“I competed in the Men’s Open 93K class. I could have done the Masters but I love to push for higher challenges when possible.
I went 8/9. I only missed my 3rd Deadlift,” Ricks wrote.
“The squat, bench, and total were unofficial Master World records.
It was truly an honor to share the platform with best in Nation”
With this incredible showing, David Ricks continues to show that age is just a number, and he is able to contend with the best in the world, even at 61 years old. He was also not the only one to do incredible things at a Masters level during the 2021 USA Powerlifting Nationals.
Regardless of if the new American Records were official world records or not, it was still an incredible showing. We will be looking forward to seeing what is next for this powerlifting legend.
