Vedad is a journalist specializing in strength sports, with three years of experience covering powerlifting, Olympic weightlifting, strongman, armwrestling and bodybuilding. He is a lifelong fitness...
The 2023 IPF World Classic Open Powerlifting Championships not only witnessed an array of record-breaking moments but also introduced us to some remarkable new talents in the powerlifting arena. One of those was Karlina Tongotea from New Zealand, who competed in the raw 76-kilogram weight class. Despite making her debut in one of the biggest competitions currently, Karlina outperformed some huge names to win the title. In addition, she also set a Squat IPF World Record.
Going into the competition, last year’s champion ,Jessica Buettner, and Agata Sitko were the favorites for many fans. However, Karlina Tongotea put up a perfect performance to break through to the top spot, even putting a cherry on top with a World Record.
Karlina Tongotea set a new IPF World Record with a 225.5-kilogram (497.1-pound) squat that she achieved on her third attempt. This was heavier than the previous World Record, which was also in her possession, by 2 kilograms (4.4 pounds). Karlina set the old record just a few months ago by squatting 223.5 kilograms (492.7 pounds) at 2023 IPF Sheffield Powerlifting Championships.
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Karlina Tongotea weighed in at 75.65 kilograms (166.8 pounds) for the 2023 IPF Worlds, which was obviously the perfect bodyweight for her. She completed all nine attempts successfully, which was a necessity for her since her rivals could have taken the lead if she messed up at any point. However, Karlina gave credit to those who pushed her to the limit during the competition.
Squat
215 kilograms (474 pounds)
222.5 kilograms (490.5 pounds)
225.5 kilograms (497.1 pounds) — U76KG IPF World Record
Bench Press
115 kilograms (253.5 pounds)
120 kilograms (264.5 pounds)
122.5 kilograms (270.1 pounds)
Deadlift
235 kilograms (518.1 pounds)
242.5 kilograms (534.6 pounds)
245 kilograms (540.1 pounds)
Total — 593 kilograms (1,307.3 pounds)
“I am so proud of how I executed this competition, in a category full of world-class athletes, with extremely impressive resumes.”
Data source: OpenPowerlifting. Data through July 25, 2026.
Karlina Tongotea has taken part in 16 sanctioned powerlifting competitions so far and won 12 of them. So far, her greatest success has been at the 2023 IPF Worlds, where she won the gold medal and set a new world record. However, Karlina is also accomplished in other areas of life, as she is a family doctor by profession. She has found a perfect balance, which enables her to perform well in both powerlifting and being a doctor.
If you have any questions or need further clarification about this news, please leave a comment below, and Vedad will get back to you as soon as possible.
Vedad is a journalist specializing in strength sports, with three years of experience covering powerlifting, Olympic weightlifting, strongman, armwrestling and bodybuilding. He is a lifelong fitness enthusiast, passionate about all aspects of strength training. Vedad's in-depth knowledge of training methodologies and dedication to constant research fuel his insightful and engaging reporting. He works hard to deliver accurate content while continuously seeking to improve his craft.
