Russel Orhii is back in the spotlight, after a series of incredible lifts in training during the past few months. Having found new motivation and goals for the future, Russel is managing to progress his personal records even further, consequently locking out some of the heaviest lifts in the 83-kilogram weight class. This is especially true for his recent 356-kilogram (785-pound) squat PR that he set on August 28th.
With the barbell almost filled out with humongous 45-pound plates, Russel Orhii took a moment to gather his thoughts before unracking 356 kilograms (785 pounds). One thing that stood out immediately was the bend of the barbell, proving how heavy the lift was. However, Russel did not pay too much attention to the weight, but instead focused on maintaining proper technique and outputting maximum force.
Wearing nothing but a lifting belt and knee sleeves, Russel Orhii dropped down with 356 kilograms (785 pounds), and began his slow ascent. It took him around five seconds to grind out the squat, but the only thing that mattered was that he successfully locked it out.
It is not clear how heavy Russel Orhii was at the time of his lift, but he has recently announced that he will continue competing in the 83-kilogram weight class in 2024.
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Russel Orhii believes that he is already capable of squatting 800 pounds (362.9 kilograms), but that his recent deadlift training has hindered his abilities a bit. However, having already locked out 800 pounds (362.9 kilograms) in the deadlift event, his goal now is to reach the same milestone in the squat as well.This would be mind-blowing considering that he is currently in his offseason.
“I’m so close to having an 800lb squat AND deadlift.. I bet I could hit 800lbs if deadlift wasn’t taking so much out of me,” wrote Orhii.
Russel Orhii has not taken part in any competitions this year and revealed the reasoning behind his decision just recently. During the past few years, Russel competed exclusively in the USAPL, but he now believes that the IPF has more to offer him. So, he has decided to come back to the IPF and chase his third World Champion title, having already claimed two in 2019 and 2021.
Regarding his full career, Russel Orhii has accumulated 18 professional appearances, and managed to win all but one. Even in the one competition that Orhii did not win, he still finished in a very impressive second place.
It is also important to note that Russel Orhii’s new raw squat PR is 16 kilograms (35.3 pounds) heavier than his competition PR. So, his next performance is set to be record-breaking.
Data Source: Open Powerlifting. Last Updated: August 17, 2023
Russel Orhii’s next competition will be the 2024 AMP Nationals, but the date of when the competition will take place is not available yet. However, Russel has at least six months to further improve until the competition, which would make sure that he dominates the 83-kilogram weight class.
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.
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