Olivares has passed the 1,000-pound barrier and continues to climb.
Jesus Olivares’ Instagram username is “mega.gojira” – a play on the Japanese word for “Godzilla,” a fictional nuclear reptilian monster that brings nothing but destruction. Considering what Olivares accomplishes in the gym and on sanctioned lifting platforms, he certainly chose a fitting personal nickname that nods to his incredible strength. His latest leg-power feat once again paints a picture of a powerlifter worthy of the title “King of the Monsters.”
On February 20, 2023, Olivares posted his Instagram video 465-kilogram (1,025.1-pound) raw back squat During the training period. The lift is a personal record (PR) for the typical 120-kilogram-plus powerlifter. Olivares wore wrist wraps, a lifting belt and knee sleeves to help set a new personal high-water mark. No less than six spotters surround the bar during the lift for safety.
While this was his personal best in competition or training, it wasn’t the first time Olivares eclipsed the 1,000-pound raw squat barrier.
The athlete first achieved this remarkable milestone in mid-September 2022 when he completed a raw squat of 455 kilograms (1,003 pounds). This followed Olivares raw squatting 450 kilograms (992 pounds) last spring during a first-place performance in the 120-plus-kilogram weight class at the 2022 AMP Classic Open Nationals.
Olivares’ recent squat PR is additionally noteworthy for three main reasons.
For one, it comes as part of his preparations for the 2023 International Powerlifting Federation (IPF) Sheffield Powerlifting Championships. He won’t be the only name-recognition athlete competing. For another reason, Olivares squatting 1,025.1 pounds puts him close to Ray Williams’ all-time raw world record of 490 kilograms (1,080.2 pounds) from the 2019 USA Powerlifting Arnold SBD Pro American.
Furthermore, if Olivares repeats this squat at the Sheffield Championships, he will tie Craig Foster for the third highest raw squat of all time. Only fellow 120-kilogram-plus competitors Williams and Jezza Uepa (who squatted 470 kilograms/1,036.1 pounds at the 2017 Powerlifting America Brisbane Open) have ever lifted more.
Although Olivares is still 44.2 kilograms away from the record, adding 10 kilograms (22.1 pounds) to his top mark in roughly half a year could be a sign that he is well on his way to reaching the hallowed destination.
Still in her mid-20s, it’s clear that Olivares is already turning herself into a household name. Moving up in the squat record books, and perhaps finally putting his name up there, would be quite a way to announce his presence as a bona fide superstar.
Featured image: @mega.gojira on Instagram
