Sheffield Powerlifting Championships Highlights

The 2026 Sheffield Powerlifting Championships proved to be a historic event with a staggering 25 world records broken. The competition, which brings together 12 male and 12 female lifters, saw the total world record fall in 11 of the 16 weight classes, underscoring the exceptional level of performance. A total prize fund of £445,000 was distributed among the athletes, with £5,000 awarded for each broken world record. In the men's division, Austin Perkins of the USA delivered a dominant performance to take the overall title. Competing in the 74kg class, Perkins broke the raw squat, deadlift, and total IPF world records. His remarkable day included a 341kg (751.8 lbs) squat, a 207.5kg (457.5 lbs) bench press, and a 343kg (756.2 lbs) deadlift, culminating in a world record total of 891.5kg (1965 lbs). The women's champion, Tiffany Chapon from France, also had a record-shattering day in the 47kg class. She set new world records in the squat with 169kg (373 lbs) and the bench press with 107.5kg (237 lbs). Her final total of 451.5kg (995 lbs) also established a new world record. Sweden's Alba Boström, competing in the 63kg class, secured a strong second-place finish in what she considered a redemption performance after a disappointing result at the previous Sheffield event. Boström achieved a world record total of 582.5kg (1284 lbs), with a 205kg (452 lbs) squat, a 140kg (308 lbs) bench press, and a 237.5kg (524 lbs) deadlift. The women's bench press was a showcase of incredible strength, with Brittany Schlater hitting the top lift of 165kg. She was followed by Sonita Muluh (157.5kg), Alba Boström (140kg), Meghan Scanlon (137.5kg), and Karlina Tongotea (135kg). The deadlifts were equally impressive, with Etienne El Chaer pulling a massive 401.5kg. The other top deadlifts of the competition included Keenan Lee with 382.5kg, Emil Norling with 380kg, Emil Krastev with 367.5kg, and Anthony McNaughton with 360kg.