Powerlifter Hildeborg Hugdal (+84KG) Sets 235.5-kg (519.2-lb) Equipped Bench Press IPF Open & Masters World Records

Hildeborg Hugdal is renowned for her incredible career, which has spanned over two decades so far, but she has been chasing one goal for the past eight years. Being the greatest women’s equipped bench presser in the IPF (International Powerlifting Federation), Hildeborg wanted to claim all the records available to her, and she has now finally achieved it. Having taken part in the 2023 EPF Equipped Bench Press Championships on August 6th, Hildeborg managed to lock out 235.5 kilograms (519.2 pounds) for a new +84KG Equipped Bench Press IPF World Record (Single Lift).

Hildeborg Hugdal opened up her performance with a 222.5-kilogram (490.5-pound) bench press, which she completed with ease. She then moved up to 230 kilograms (507 pounds) for her second attempt, successfully locking it out and leaving a bit more in the tank. However, her closest rival, Kate Sweatman, failed her third bench press, which meant that Hildeborg secured a gold medal even before utilizing her final attempt.

With a secured gold medal, Hildeborg Hugdal had nothing to lose, so she loaded up a record-breaking weight of 235.5 kilograms (519.2 pounds) for her third bench press. After completing it successfully, Hildeborg finally broke a World Record that had been standing for eight years.

Sandra Lönn lifted 235 kilograms (518 pounds) at the 2015 IPF World Bench Press Championships, setting the previous +84KG Equipped Bench Press IPF World Record (Single Lift).

Watch Hildeborg Hugdal’s bench press here:

Related: Jimmy Kolb Hits Heaviest Lift In Powerlifting With 635.5-kg (1,401-lb) Equipped Bench Press at 2023 IPA Tri-Star Bash

It is important to note that IPF has two separate divisions for the bench press. The first one is Single Lift which encompasses lifts completed in a competition where the bench press is the only event. The second division is Full Power where the record could be set only in competitions where an athlete has to compete in all three events (squat, bench, deadlift). These divisions are separated since it is easier to bench press more weight in a Single Lift competition, as the athletes are not tired from performing squats beforehand like they would in a Full Power competition.

Hildeborg Hugdal has been holding the Full Power Equipped Bench Press World Record since 2013, but struggled to claim the Single Lift World Record for a while. However, having now set a Single Lift World Record as well, Hildeborh is now in possession of both achievements, making her the undisputed champion of the equipped bench press.

Moreover, having turned 40 years old on July 5th, 2023, Hildeborg Hugdal set World Records in both the Open (Irrespective of Age) and Masters 1 (40-49 Years Old) Age Classes.

These World Records are just the cherry on top of Hildeborg Hugdal’s career so far, as she has been a very impressive powerlifting competitor for the past 25 years. She has taken part in almost 100 sanctioned competitions so far and won the majority of them. Hildeborg has also won countless IPF World and EPF European titles, displaying consistency throughout the years.

Related: Agata Sitko (76KG) Sweeps Junior & Open Bench Press World Records at 2023 IPF World Classic Powerlifting Championships

Hildeborg Hugdal’s Competition History

Seeing how Hildeborg Hugdal has broken the record of Sandra Lönn, who is no longer competing, it is very likely that it will now remain intact for some time. Hildeborg is in a league of her own, so she remains the only one capable of further improving the record. That is, until another generational talent bursts onto the scene, but that won’t happen anytime soon.

Athletes Mentioned in This Article

Hildeborg Juvet HugdalKate Sweatman