Temur Samkharadze is one of the greatest powerlifters that the Junior age class has ever seen. This statement is especially relevant following his recent appearance at the 2024 IPF World Classic Powerlifting Championships, which took place on June 15-23 in Druskininkai, Lithuania. There, Temur managed to set new Raw Squat, Bench Press, Deadlift, and Total +84KG IPF Junior World Records.
Temur Samkharadze’s 2024 IPF World Championships Performance Overview
It is worth commending Temur Samkharadze for competing in the Open age class, despite still being a Junior powerlifter. So, he took on the challenge of competing against Jesus Olivares, who is easily one of the greatest athletes in the history of powerlifting. So, Temur ended up in second place overall, but once again proved that he is the only man who can push Olivares to his limits.
Temur Samkharadze ended up missing just one attempt across all events, which did not cost him much. In fact, he set a new +120KG IPF Junior World Records in all four events.
Squat
Temur Samkharadze had big shoes to fill on the squat, since the former record belonged to none other than Jesus Olivares. However, Temur’s initial goal was to secure a decent weight on his first two attempts before taking a risk and going for the record.
Seeing that everything was going to plan, Temur Samkharadze loaded 430 kilograms (948 pounds) for his final attempt. The initial speed he had on the squat looked very impressive, but he nearly got stuck during the midway portion of the ascent. Luckily, he managed to push through and lock out the lift for a new Junior World Record.
- 400 kilograms (881.8 pounds)
- 420 kilograms (925.9 pounds)
- 430 kilograms (948 pounds) — +120KG IPF Junior World Record
*Jesus Olivares held the previous +120KG Raw Squat IPF Junior World Record of 427.5-kg (942.5-lb), which he set at the 2021 IPF World Classic Powerlifting Championships.
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Watch the lift here:
Bench Press
The bench press is another event where Jesus Olivares held the World Record. But that changed this past weekend, as Temur Samkharadze managed to lift 255 kilograms (562.2 pounds) on his final attempt. Interestingly, it looked even easier than the record he set on the squats, displaying his best performance to date.
- 235 kilograms (518.1 pounds)
- 250 kilograms (551.2 pounds)
- 255 kilograms (562.2 pounds) — +120KG IPF Junior World Record
*Jesus Olivares held the previous +120KG Raw Bench IPF Junior World Record of 252.5-kg (556.7-lb), which he set at the 2021 IPF World Classic Powerlifting Championships.
Deadlift
The deadlift is Temur Samkharadze’s greatest lift. So, judging by what he achieved in the squat and bench, the expectations for this final event grew. He definitely delivered, as his second attempt at 402.5 kilograms (887.4 pounds) marked a new Junior World Record already. Moreover, it moved at frightening speed, showing that he had more left in the tank.
In turn, Temur decided to take a massive risk and jump to 415 kilograms (914.9 pounds) for his final attempt, which would break both the Junior and Open World Records. Unfortunately, although he did lift the bar off the floor and even above his knees, Temur was unable to achieve full lockout. So, the judges gave him three red lights and invalidated the lift.
- 385 kilograms (848.8 pounds)
- 402.5 kilograms (887.4 pounds) — +120KG IPF Junior World Record
- Unsuccessful — 415 kilograms (914.9 pounds)
*Temur Samkharadze held the former +120KG Raw Deadlift IPF Junior World Record of 401-kg (884.1-lb), which he set at the 2024 EPF European Open Classic Powerlifting Championships.
Total — 1,087.5 kilograms (2,397.5 pounds) — +120KG IPF Junior World Record
*Temur Samkharadze held the previous +120KG Raw Total IPF Junior World Record of 1,063.5-kg (2,344.6-lb), which he set at the 2024 EPF European Open Classic Powerlifting Championships.
Watch all of the lifts here:
Temur Samkharadze’s Powerlifting History
Personal Bests
| Equip | Squat | Bench | Deadlift | Total | Dots |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Raw | 889.6 | 496 | 889.6 | 2228.9 | 535.65 |
Competition Results
| Place | Fed | Date | Competition | Division | Total | Dots | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | IPF | 2023-06-11 | World Classic Powerlifting Championships | Open | 2166 | 529.35 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 1 | EPF | 2022-11-25 | European Classic Powerlifting Championships | Juniors | 2228.9 | 535.65 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 1 | IPF | 2022-08-31 | World Junior Classic Powerlifting Championships | Juniors | 2194.7 | 530.91 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 2 | IPF | 2022-05-21 | World Bench Press Championships | Juniors | 490.5 | 118.69 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 1 | EPF | 2021-12-03 | European Classic Powerlifting Championships | Juniors | 2072.3 | 502.35 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 1 | IPF | 2021-09-23 | World Classic Powerlifting Championships | Juniors | 2011.7 | 496.42 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Temur Samkharadze has taken part in 11 sanctioned powerlifting competitions and won eight of them. He is a reigning 2x EPF European Open Champion, but also holds multiple World and European Junior World titles. However, his recent sweep of Junior World Records is arguably his most impressive achievement yet, as it indicates that he is the greatest super heavyweight Junior in IPF history.
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