Etienne El Chaer got recognized for his domination in the Junior division but has clearly grown into one of the world’s greatest open powerlifters, as seen by his display at the 2026 SBD Sheffield Powerlifting Championships. Etienne performed on the platform on January 31st, where he competed in the 120-kilogram weight class. Although he made his debut, he turned out to be one of the most successful lifters at the competition. He ended the day with new Raw Deadlift and Total IPF World Records.
Etienne El Chaer’s Performance Breakdown
Etienne El Chaer was the first Lebanese athlete to compete at the Sheffield Powerlifting Championships, and he certainly represented his nation in the best way possible. He missed only one out of nine attempts, that being his final deadlift. Regardless of that, Etienne still finished in third place overall, bringing a bronze medal back home along with two IPF World Records.
Squat
Etienne El Chaer put up an incredible display on the squat, as his heaviest lift came out to 345 kilograms (760.6 pounds). He performed the squat with just a lifting belt and knee sleeves, both of which are allowed in the raw division. Furthermore, this tied for his best-ever squat in a competition, which definitely marked a great start to his performance.
- 320 kilograms (705.5 pounds)
- 335 kilograms (738.5 pounds)
- 345 kilograms (760.6 pounds)
Bench Press
Etienne El Chaer was even better during the bench press session, reaching a new Competition PR with a press of 237.5 kilograms (523.6 pounds). At this point it became clear that Chaer was decisive about setting a new Total World Record. With one event to go, Etienne remained focused on wrapping up his performance.
- 225 kilograms (496 pounds)
- 232.5 kilograms (512.6 pounds)
- 237.5 kilograms (523.6 pounds) — Competition PR
Deadlift
As was the case with the first two events, Etienne El Chaer continued to put on a show on the deadlifts. He first pulled 370 kilograms (815.7 pounds) to get a score on the board. Once that was behind him, Chaer was able to take more risks, loading 401.5 kilograms (885.2 pounds) for his second attempt. He completed the pull with a conventional stance and a mixed grip, making it clear that he had even more in the tank. However, this was enough to chip the IPF World Record.
Etienne El Chaer’s final attempt came out to 411.5 kilograms (907.2 pounds), which would have been the heaviest deadlift in the IPF across all weight classes. Unfortunately, Etienne was unable to complete the lift but did show some promising signs for the future, since he got the barbell off the floor.
- 370 kilograms (815.7 pounds)
- 401.5 kilograms (885.2 pounds) — U120KG IPF World Record
- Unsuccessful — 411.5 kilograms (907.2 pounds)
*Etienne El Chaer held the previous U120KG Raw Total IPF World Record of 401-kg (884.1-lb), which he set at the 2025 AsianPF Asian Masters & Open Powerlifting Championships.
Total — 984 kilograms (2,169.3 pounds) — U120KG IPF World Record
*Dennis Cornelius held the previous U120KG Raw Total IPF World Record of 978.5-kg (2,157.2-lb), which he set at the 2016 IPF World Classic Powerlifting Championships.
Watch all of Etienne’s lifts here:
Related: Powerlifter Etienne El Chaer (120KG) Secures Raw Deadlift & Total IPF Junior World Records
Etienne El Chaer is just 25 years old, but he has already racked up a number of achievements, including the 2025 IPF World Championships, the 2023 IPF Junior World Championships, and the Asian Powerlifting Championships. In addition to that, Etienne also set multiple world records across the Junior and Open divisions, which solidified him as one of the greatest powerlifters in the world.
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