Michael Slabic is definitely a name that we will hear often in the upcoming years, as the young powerlifter put up a mind-blowing performance on day one of the 2026 AMP (Powerlifting America) Open Nationals on March 5th in Lake Tahoe, NV. Slabic competed in the 59-kilogram weight class, where he ended up taking the title while also setting National and even unofficial IPF World Records. However, he also became the first lifter in the history of his weight class to deadlift over 300 kilograms (661.4 pounds) in a competition.
Michael Slabic had a great performance leading up to the deadlift. So, his opening pull of 275 kilograms (606.3 pounds) put him far ahead of his rivals, practically securing him the title. With that in mind, Michael was able to shift his focus on setting new records.
His second deadlift attempt came out to 294 kilograms (648.2 pounds), which was deliberately chosen with the aim of setting a new U59KG AMP National Record, as well as unofficially exceeding the U59KG IPF World Record. While no one doubted Michael Slabic, the speed at which the barbell moved still left many in awe.
That was still not the end of Michael’s mind-blowing performance, since he had one more goal in mind before closing out the competition. Namely, Michael loaded 301 kilograms (663.6 pounds) onto the barbell, a weight that no U59KG powerlifter has ever achieved in a competition. Well, Michael made history, utilizing a sumo stance and a hook grip to bring the bar to lockout.
*The official U59KG Raw Deadlift IPF World Record stands at 293-kg (646-lb) and was set by Bodie LaCoe at the 2025 IPF World Junior and Sub-Juniors Powerlifting Championships. This lift also stood as the U59KG AMP National Record until Michael Slabic broke it at the 2026 AMP Open Nationals.
Watch the lift here:
Michael Slabic’s Full Performance
Michael Slabic had a near-perfect execution at the 2026 AMP Open Nationals, having missed only one out of nine attempts. This miss came on his heaviest squat, which would have marked a new U59KG AMP American National Record had it been successful. Michael actually completed the squat but received red lights for not reaching the required depth. However, it was clear that his power was more than sufficient to lift the weight, meaning that it is only a matter of time before he claims this record as well.
Squat
- 210 kilograms (463 pounds)
- 225 kilograms (496 pounds)
- Unsuccessful — 230 kilograms (507.1 pounds)
Bench Press
- 115 kilograms (253.5 pounds)
- 120 kilograms (264.6 pounds)
- 125 kilograms (275.6 pounds)
Deadlift
- 275 kilograms (606.3 pounds)
- 294 kilograms (648.2 pounds)
- 301 kilograms (663.6 pounds) — U59KG Raw Deadlift AMP American National Record & Unofficial IPF World Record
Total — 651 kilograms (1,435.2 pounds) — U59KG AMP American National Record
*Wascar Carpio held the previous U59KG Raw Total AMP American National Record of 638-kg (1,406.5-lb), which he set at the 2024 Classic Open Nationals.
Michael Slabic spent the majority of his career so far competing in the 67.5-kilogram weight class in the USAPL. However, in late 2025 he cut down to the U59KG class and made his debut in the AMP (Powerlifting America) federation. So, Slabic currently has nine sanctioned powerlifting appearances under his belt, which includes six victories.
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