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...
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Mary Duffy - Image credit @mduff2404 Instagram
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Correctly performing powerlifting movements is essential for developing a solid foundation for everyday movements. As individuals age, they often turn to powerlifting training as a means to maintain mobility, functionality, and overall health. However, there are a few phenoms who surpass the expectations relative to their age, and 73-year-old Mary Duffy is one of those. Mary has consistently amazed with her impressive feats over the years, but her latest accomplishment was truly remarkable. She deadlifted a staggering 310 pounds, but what made it even more extraordinary was the addition of massive chains to part of the weight.
In an Instagram post made on May 18th, Mary Dufy confidently approach the barbell, which was already loaded with 180 pounds. However, what caught everyone’s attention was the additional 130 pounds hanging from it in the form of chains. Mary got positioned in a conventional stance and grabbed the bar with a mixed grip. She then easily picked up the weight, only starting to struggle in the lockout phase of the lift.
Mary Duffy’s slight struggles during the lockout are understandable since the entire purpose of the chains is to make the deadlift easier in the beginning phase and harder as the barbell lifts up higher.
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Mary Duffy’s Instagram caption also states that she is currently weighing 117 pounds, making her 310-pound deadlift 2.6x her bodyweight. This, alongside the fact that she is 73-years-old, makes her deadlift even more impressive.
Shortly after Marry Duffy’s 310-pound deadlift, she attempted to add another 5 pounds to the bar. It turned out that this was too heavy for her, as Mary was unable to lock out the lift. She shared that video to Instagram as well, and wrote the following caption:
“FAILURE is as important as the “SUCCESSES”!!!
There’s that 5 lb. wall!!!🫣 It’s how we get there”
Mary Duffy originally started competing in 2015 and has accumulated 21 sanctioned appearances. She has been extremely successful, winning 20 competitions and claiming second-place the only time she didn’t win.
Data source: OpenPowerlifting. Data through July 11, 2026.
Mary Duffy is best known for her deadlifts, which have gone viral on a few occasions. Mary also wowed the community almost one year ago when she performed a 250-pound trap bar deadlift with chains in training as well. It is often the strength she gains from her training that is translated into her competitions. So, this new 310-pound deadlift insinuates that she will put up an amazing performance the next time she competes.
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.
