Mackey won his own personal “iron battle” with this deadlift.
Now, Joe Mackey has a well-deserved reputation as one of the strongest professional bodybuilders of all time. The International Federation of Bodybuilding and Fitness (IFBB) Pro League member has made previous headlines as a versatile deadlifting dynamo, once pulling 385.5 kilograms (850 pounds) at Iron Wars VI in 2022. With the new year in full swing, Mackie has built on the achievement of that power, explaining the months ahead could be even more fruitful.
It’s January. 13, 2023, Mackey successfully deadlifted 412.8 kilograms (910 pounds). At the Iron Wars VII tournament in Signal Hill, CA. Macy’s is a drag showcase Personal Record (PR). It’s one of the aptly titled moments for strength personality CT Fletcher’s annual competition, which allows a variety of athletes to display unique strengths. Mackey used a traditional stance, wore a lifting belt and lifting straps to aid his pulls, and even had weight plates attached to the ends of his overloaded barbell to provide enough of a challenge.
McKay’s consternation did not come without a struggle. The athlete slowly grinds through his rep while trying to reach the deadlift, visibly shaking as the crowd of spectators around his lifting platform encourages the athlete to reach new heights. Finally, upon his successful pull, Mackey appeared almost relieved when he finished, shaking his head after putting the weight down hard before walking away.
Mackie gave a brief and proud reflection on her massive lift in a post on her Instagram. A bodybuilder/powerlifter who unsuccessfully tried to pull the same weight in a training session more than a month earlier, this deadlift feat is more significant.
“I was able to get a padlock, but I wanted to hold it with my signature smile on top!” Mackey wrote. “Unfortunately, 910 pounds wanted to pull me down, but… we’ll make it count! I’ve been thinking about this lift day after day since I missed it a week ago! Nine hundred and ten pounds, much respect to you, but [expletive] You now! Forward!”
In the case of bodybuilding, Mackey may be setting himself apart from his peers and past icons of deadlift prowess. Eight times Mr. Mackey cleared that bar by leaps and bounds, but never prepared for any major bodybuilding competition like the legendary Coleman.
Without official records for competitive bodybuilders looking to test their strength through a powerlifting prism, it’s unclear where Mackey’s recent PR deadlift ranks in the sport’s history. However, this is the biggest ever from a man who makes it a point to show off his professional physique on stage.
The year 2023 has started with a bang for Makki. If this deadlift is his first significant step at the turn of the calendar, it probably won’t be the last he hears about in the coming months.
Featured Image: @jmackey33_ifbbpro on Instagram
