Sophia Ellis (Image via @sophiastrength/Instagram)
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Sophia Ellis hit the spotlight earlier this year at the 2022 British National Championships, having put up the most dominating performance in that contest. That victory secured her a place in the 2022 IPF World ClassicPowerlifting Championships, which took place two weeks ago.
Despite not performing as expected at the IPF World’s, Sophia managed to claim a new deadlift two rep PR in the buildup to it. However, she posted the video of her deadlifting 227.5 kilograms (501.6 pounds) for two repetitions on June 29, 2022.
Sophia Ellis only used a lifting belt, so her new PR is raw by powerlifting regulations. Her style of deadlifting also utilized a sumo stance and a mixed grip. Another impressive factor of Sophia’s new PR is that she was injured at the time, but she pushed through the pain and benefited from it. These injuries also ultimately prevented her from putting up her best at the 2022 IPF World’s.
“Managed to hit this pb deadlift whilst still nursing a knee and back injury going into the World Championships, so it meant a lot. (I think you can tell by my reaction 😆🕺) We were managing it as much as we could but I was at a point where I just had to push through the pain to get myself through the peak and onto the world stage.
Looking back, I don’t ever want to be in that position again but it really did test me mentally as an athlete. Only upwards from here ☝.”
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Sophia Ellis has taken part in 25 sanctioned powerlifting competitions, of which she won 12. She also claimed multiple national records, but her greatest success is scoring the heaviest women’s deadlift in British Powerlifting history of 237.5 kilograms (523.6 pounds).
Sophia Ellis’ Greatest Performances
2022 BP British Classic Women’s Championships — First-place
2021 EPF European Classic Powerlifting Championships — Second-place
2021 IPF World Classic Powerlifting Championships — Fourth-place
Bench Press: 118 kilograms (260.1 pounds) — (2022 BP British Classic Women’s Championships)
Deadlift: 237.5 kilograms (523.6 pounds) — (2022 BP British Classic Women’s Championships)
Total: 525.5 kilograms (1,158.5 pounds) — (2022 BP British Classic Women’s Championships)
Sophia Ellis also overcame a severe eating disorder and is now trying to help inspire anyone encountering the same difficulties. After recovering from this disorder, Sophia took up powerlifting and became one of the greatest women to do it in Britain.
British Juniors Classic Powerlifting Championships
FR-Jr
964.5
427.32
Competition
British Juniors Classic Powerlifting Championships
Division
FR-Jr
Location
UK
Age
23
Equipment
Raw
Class
185.2
Weight
164.5
Squat
286.6
308.6
319.7
319.7
Bench
203.9
215.0
-220.5
215.0
Deadlift
396.8
429.9
-446.4
429.9
1
CommonwealthPF
Sep 14, 2019
Commonwealth Championships
Juniors
976.6
443.08
Competition
Commonwealth Championships
Division
Juniors
Location
Canada
Age
23
Equipment
Raw
Class
158.7
Weight
157.4
Squat
292.1
314.2
-330.7
314.2
Bench
209.4
221.6
-227.1
221.6
Deadlift
418.9
440.9
-457.5
440.9
1
CommonwealthPF
Sep 14, 2019
Commonwealth Championships
Juniors
220.5
99.88
Competition
Commonwealth Championships
Division
Juniors
Location
Canada
Age
23
Equipment
Raw
Class
158.7
Weight
157.8
Bench
209.4
215.0
220.5
220.5
2
EPF
Aug 6, 2019
European Classic Bench Press Championships
Juniors
220.5
98.47
Competition
European Classic Bench Press Championships
Division
Juniors
Location
Luxembourg
Age
23
Equipment
Raw
Class
185.2
Weight
162.0
Bench
209.4
-220.5
220.5
220.5
1
EPA
Jun 21, 2019
English Bench Press Championships
FR-Jr
209.4
94.69
Competition
English Bench Press Championships
Division
FR-Jr
Location
England
Age
23
Equipment
Raw
Class
158.7
Weight
158.4
Bench
198.4
209.4
-220.5
209.4
1
EPA
May 24, 2019
Women's All England Powerlifting Championships
FR-Jr
953.5
432.58
Competition
Women's All England Powerlifting Championships
Division
FR-Jr
Location
England
Age
23
Equipment
Raw
Class
158.7
Weight
157.4
Squat
281.1
297.6
314.2
314.2
Bench
198.4
215.0
-220.5
215.0
Deadlift
402.3
424.4
-
424.4
5
IPF
May 17, 2019
World Bench Press Championships
Juniors
209.4
94.81
Competition
World Bench Press Championships
Division
Juniors
Location
Japan
Age
23
Equipment
Raw
Class
158.7
Weight
158.0
Bench
192.9
209.4
-231.5
209.4
8
BP
Mar 1, 2019
British Women's Classic Powerlifting Championships
F-C-Open
898.4
408.52
Competition
British Women's Classic Powerlifting Championships
Division
F-C-Open
Location
UK
Age
23
Equipment
Raw
Class
158.7
Weight
156.7
Squat
264.6
286.6
303.1
303.1
Bench
181.9
-192.9
192.9
192.9
Deadlift
402.3
-424.4
-424.4
402.3
2
BP
Feb 22, 2019
British Classic Bench Press Championships
F-C-U23
192.9
87.72
Competition
British Classic Bench Press Championships
Division
F-C-U23
Location
UK
Age
22.5
Equipment
Raw
Class
158.7
Weight
156.7
Bench
181.9
192.9
-198.4
192.9
1
EPA
Sep 30, 2018
Greater London Push Pull
F-C-Open
573.2
254.86
Competition
Greater London Push Pull
Division
F-C-Open
Location
England
Age
22
Equipment
Raw
Class
185.2
Weight
163.4
Bench
170.9
-187.4
187.4
187.4
Deadlift
352.7
374.8
385.8
385.8
7
BP
Sep 21, 2018
British Junior Women's Powerlifting Championships
F-C-U23
821.2
373.73
Competition
British Junior Women's Powerlifting Championships
Division
F-C-U23
Location
UK
Age
22
Equipment
Raw
Class
158.7
Weight
156.5
Squat
220.5
242.5
264.6
264.6
Bench
165.3
181.9
-192.9
181.9
Deadlift
341.7
358.3
374.8
374.8
2
EPA
Jul 6, 2018
Greater London Divisional Championships
F-C-Open
738.5
336.89
Competition
Greater London Divisional Championships
Division
F-C-Open
Location
England
Age
22
Equipment
Raw
Class
158.7
Weight
155.9
Squat
198.4
-220.5
220.5
220.5
Bench
143.3
159.8
176.4
176.4
Deadlift
308.6
341.7
-363.8
341.7
3
EPA
Mar 17, 2018
GL Divisional
F-C-Open
666.9
301.17
Competition
GL Divisional
Division
F-C-Open
Location
England
Age
22
Equipment
Raw
Class
158.7
Weight
158.7
Squat
165.3
198.4
-
198.4
Bench
137.8
148.8
-154.3
148.8
Deadlift
286.6
308.6
319.7
319.7
Data source: OpenPowerlifting. Data through July 19, 2026.
It is very unfortunate that Sophia Ellis’ injuries prevented her from getting a real chance to claim a podium finish at the IPF World’s. However, her training footage proves that she has the capacity to do even better once fully recovered. When that time comes, Sophia will undoubtedly surprise everyone.
If you have any questions or need further clarification about this news, please leave a comment below, and AndrewSmith will get back to you as soon as possible.
Andrew is a professional writer and a workaholic. He studied sports for 4 years and trained soccer for almost 15 years. In addition, for the past three years Andrew has been implementing functional training, with a dream or a plan to enroll in the special forces.