Natalie Laalaai, a long-standing dominant figure in the sport, made a highly anticipated performance at the 2025 IPF World Open Classic Powerlifting Championships. She took the stage on the final day of the competition in Chemnitz, Germany, impressing the crowd with multiple incredible lifts. Moreover, Natalie earned her first podium finish and achieved a 285.5-kilogram (629.4-pound) Raw Deadlift, establishing a new +84KG IPF World Record.
Natalie Laalaai’s performance on the squat and bench press put her in a very tense battle for third place at the 2025 IPF World Powerlifting Championships. However, she was aware that the deadlift was her greatest strength and that a big lift would give her the advantage over others. So, Natalie opened up with a huge pull of 265 kilograms (584.2 pounds). It was clearly not an energy-consuming lift for her, as she locked it out with ease and made her way backstage to prepare for other attempts.
Just minutes later, Natalie Laalaai stepped on the platform once again. However, this time the bar was set to 285.5 kilograms (629.4 pounds). While it was a significant jump compared to her opener, it made no difference to Natalie, who once again made it look like a routine lift. It was anything but that, as it marked a brand new +84KG IPF World Record.
Walking out for her final attempt of the entire competition, Natalie Laalai decided to make an unexpected jump to 296.5 kilograms (653.6 pounds). Unfortunately, Natalie’s lift was unvalidated despite successfully locking out the weight. The referees noticed a downward motion of the bar during one point of the deadlift, which goes against the rules. Specifically, regulations demand a single and continuous upward movement from start to finish in the deadlift. However, her attempt does prove that she is capable of locking out even more weight, indicating that she is getting close to becoming the first woman in the IPF to deadlift 300 kilograms (661.4 pounds) raw.
*Natalie Laalaai held the previous +84KG IPF Raw Deadlift World Record of 273-kg (601.9-lb). She set the record at the 2024 IPF World Classic Powerlifting Championships.
Watch the lift here:
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Natalie Laalaai’s Full Performance
Natalie Laalaai had her greatest performance yet at the 2025 IPF World Classic Powerlifting Championships. She set new competition PRs in all events apart from the bench press, where she managed to tie her all-time best. Her final deadlift was her only failed attempt of the day, and even that was not caused by a lack of power but instead a technicality. So, Natalie went home with her first bronze medal from the IPF Worlds.
Squat
- 252.5 kilograms (556.6 pounds)
- 262.5 kilograms (578.7 pounds)
- 267.5 kilograms (589.7 pounds) — Competition PR
Bench Press
- 125 kilograms (275.5 pounds)
- 132.5 kilograms (292.1 pounds)
- 135 kilograms (297.6 pounds)
Deadlift
- 265 kilograms (584.2 pounds)
- 285.5 kilograms (629.4 pounds) — +84KG IPF World Record
- Unsuccessful — 296.5 kilograms (653.6 pounds)
Total — 688 kilograms (1,516.7 pounds) — Competition PR
Natalie Laalaai has competed 12 times in the past six years, averaging approximately two sanctioned appearances per season. She currently has seven titles under her belt, along with an impressive new podium finish from the IPF World Championships. Natalie also holds the heaviest women’s raw deadlift in the IPF.
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