Elliott Sykes - Image via @malicious_lifts Instagram
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The 2022 USAPL Ataraxis Open took place in Kingston, New York over the weekend of November 5-6, and Elliott Sykes was one of the standout performers. The 16-year-old powerlifter Elliott just had his breakthrough competition, impressing everyone in the community. Elliott won the raw 75-kilogram weight class in the Teen II (16-17 Years Old) age class. In addition, he scored two All-Time World Records.
Elliott Sykes set his first of two All-Time World Records in the squat event having lifted 260 kilograms (573.2 pounds). Competing in the raw division, Sykes was only allowed to use knee sleeves and a lifting belt. The previous record was in possession of Dane Steadman who squatted 242.5 kilograms (534.6 pounds) at the 2015 USPA Boss of Bosses 2.
Elliott Sykes also set a new Total World Record, as he accumulated 687.5 kilograms (1,515.7 pounds) across three events. Dane Steadman also held this record previously, having totaled 675 kilograms (1,488.1 pounds) at the 2015 USPA Boss of Bosses 2.
Elliott Sykes usually competes in the 67.5-kilogram weight class, but he weighed in over that limit for the 2022 USAPL Ataraxis Open. His bodyweight at the time of this competition was 70.9 kilograms (156.3 pounds), which placed him in the under 75-kilogram weight class. Nevertheless, Elliott still managed to set two new World Records.
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Elliott Sykes had nine attempts at this powerlifting competition and all of them were successful. So, apart from claiming two World Records, Elliott also bested all of his competition PRs by a large margin.
Squat
237.5 kilograms (523.6 pounds)
245 kilograms (540.1 pounds)
260 kilograms (573.2 pounds)— U75 Teen II (16-17) All-Time World Record & Competition PR
Bench Press
127.5 kilograms (281.1 pounds)
140 kilograms (308.6 pounds)
155 kilograms (341.7 pounds) — Competition PR
Deadlift
242 kilograms (533.5 pounds)
260 kilograms (573.2 pounds)
272.5 kilograms (600.8 pounds) — Competition PR
Total — 687.5 kilograms (1,515.7 pounds) — U75 Teen II (16-17) All-Time World Record & Competition PR
This was just the fourth competition in which the young Elliott Sykes took part in. However, he has won all four and currently holds a 100% win streak.
World Junior and Sub-Juniors Powerlifting Championships
Juniors
1,796.8
592.44
Competition
World Junior and Sub-Juniors Powerlifting Championships
Division
Juniors
Location
Costa Rica
Age
19
Equipment
Raw
Class
163.1
Weight
162.0
Squat
622.8
666.9
694.5
694.5
Bench
374.8
396.8
413.4
413.4
Deadlift
628.3
672.4
688.9
688.9
1
AMP
May 27, 2025
Classic and Equipped Age Division Nationals
MR-Jr
1,764.8
580.66
Competition
Classic and Equipped Age Division Nationals
Division
MR-Jr
Location
USA-NV
Age
19
Equipment
Raw
Class
163.1
Weight
162.5
Squat
622.8
652.6
673.5
673.5
Bench
363.8
385.8
402.3
402.3
Deadlift
622.8
661.4
688.9
688.9
1
AMP
Jan 17, 2025
Winter Classic
MR-Jr
1,675.5
557.94
Competition
Winter Classic
Division
MR-Jr
Location
USA-NY
Age
18
Equipment
Raw
Class
163.1
Weight
159.6
Squat
606.3
644.9
672.4
672.4
Bench
352.7
374.8
385.8
385.8
Deadlift
617.3
-661.4
-705.5
617.3
1
IPF
Aug 27, 2024
World Junior and Sub-Juniors Powerlifting Championships
Sub-Juniors
1,688.7
560.80
Competition
World Junior and Sub-Juniors Powerlifting Championships
Division
Sub-Juniors
Location
Malta
Age
18
Equipment
Raw
Class
163.1
Weight
160.3
Squat
607.4
-651.5
651.5
651.5
Bench
-347.2
358.3
375.9
375.9
Deadlift
629.4
661.4
-688.9
661.4
1
AMP
Apr 18, 2024
High School National Championship
MR-V
1,598.3
541.65
Competition
High School National Championship
Division
MR-V
Location
USA-LA
Age
18
Equipment
Raw
Class
163.1
Weight
155.5
Squat
556.7
595.2
622.8
622.8
Bench
325.2
347.2
-363.8
347.2
Deadlift
589.7
628.3
-661.4
628.3
1
AMP
Jan 19, 2024
Winter Classic II
MR-Sj
1,532.2
513.56
Competition
Winter Classic II
Division
MR-Sj
Location
USA-NY
Age
17
Equipment
Raw
Class
163.1
Weight
158.1
Squat
545.6
578.7
606.3
606.3
Bench
325.2
347.2
-363.8
347.2
Deadlift
578.7
-617.3
-617.3
578.7
1
USAPL
Nov 4, 2022
Ataraxis Open
MR-O
1,515.7
511.90
Competition
Ataraxis Open
Division
MR-O
Location
USA-NY
Age
16
Equipment
Raw
Class
165.3
Weight
156.3
Squat
523.6
540.1
573.2
573.2
Bench
281.1
308.6
341.7
341.7
Deadlift
533.5
573.2
600.8
600.8
1
USAPL
Mar 22, 2022
Teen Nationals
MR-T1
1,317.3
468.37
Competition
Teen Nationals
Division
MR-T1
Location
USA-IL
Age
15
Equipment
Raw
Class
148.8
Weight
145.4
Squat
451.9
-457.5
490.5
490.5
Bench
242.5
259.0
275.6
275.6
Deadlift
496.0
529.1
551.2
551.2
1
USAPL
Feb 18, 2022
Iowa State Open
MR-T
1,295.2
460.84
Competition
Iowa State Open
Division
MR-T
Location
USA-IA
Age
15
Equipment
Raw
Class
148.8
Weight
145.3
Squat
440.9
468.5
485.0
485.0
Bench
220.5
253.5
281.1
281.1
Deadlift
507.1
529.1
-562.2
529.1
1
USAPL
Sep 11, 2021
September Smash
MR-T
1,102.3
407.38
Competition
September Smash
Division
MR-T
Location
USA-NJ
Age
15
Equipment
Raw
Class
145.5
Weight
138.2
Squat
385.8
-396.8
-429.9
385.8
Bench
237.0
253.5
259.0
259.0
Deadlift
457.5
-474.0
-474.0
457.5
Data source: OpenPowerlifting. Data through July 25, 2026.
Despite being only 16 years old, Elliott Sykes is projected to reach the levels of John Haack, Taylor Atwood, and many others. However, while he has the talent, Elliott will need to continue putting in the hard work and stay injury free for years to become one of the all-time greatest powerlifters.
If you have any questions or need further clarification about this news, please leave a comment below, and AndrewSmith will get back to you as soon as possible.
Andrew is a professional writer and a workaholic. He studied sports for 4 years and trained soccer for almost 15 years. In addition, for the past three years Andrew has been implementing functional training, with a dream or a plan to enroll in the special forces.