The debate of what the perfect age for peak powerlifting performance has been ongoing for ages. However, it is quite a subjective topic, varying from one person to another. The best example is Panagiotis Tarinidis, a French powerlifter who somehow manages to push the boundaries even when it seems impossible. He sat on the throne of the 66-kilogram weight class a long time ago, which is usually the career highlight for many. However, Panagiotis kept improving, and even now, on the day that he turned 29 years old, he managed to set a new raw deadlift Personal Record in training. His PR was quite special as well, since it was the first time that he managed to deadlift 300 kilograms (661.4 pounds).
Panagiotis Tarinidis is among the top-ranked deadlifters in the world, which is evident by his new 300-kilogram (661.4-pound) deadlift PR that came out to around 4.5x his bodyweight. In addition, he achieved this ratio with only a single piece of equipment, that is, his lifting belt. Panagiotis is also dedicated to the conventional stance and a mixed grip, as this combination has done wonders for him in the past.
Another sign of how much Panagiotis Tarinidis has improved is that his new deadlift PR is 10 kilograms (22 pounds) heavier than his previous one. Moreover, this was his first time attempting the humongous 300-kilogram (661.4-pound) deadlift and he absolutely smashed it.
“First time I was attempting this weight. My max being 290kg up until that day. And being able to deadlift the mythical 300kg on the day of my birthday, it’s really special.”
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Panagiotis Tarinidis is currently preparing for the 2023 EPF European Classic Powerlifting Championships, which will take place on December 4-9, in Tartu, Estonia. Interestingly, Panagiotis was the 2021 European Champion, but lost his title in 2022 since he was disqualified for not being able to successfully perform at least one of his three squat attempts. So, fueled by the mistake he made last year, Panagiotis will now look to reclaim his title.
Panagiotis Tarinidis is an incredibly active powerlifter, having made 26 appearances in sanctioned competitions. However, he is also extremely successful, as he won 12 of those, with the majority of his victories coming at prestigious competitions.
Data Source: Open Powerlifting. Last Updated: August 17, 2023
Panagiotis Tarinidis has had an impeccable year so far, and by the looks of it, it is getting even better with every week of training that passes. However, not a lot of time remains, as Panagiotis will take the stage at the 2023 EPF European Championships in less than two months. So, we will see how much more improvement he can make until then.
If you have questions or need clarifications, please leave a comment below, and Vedad will respond promptly.
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.