Lehev marked a major crude milestone.
On April 10, 2023, powerlifter Blake Lehew shared his Instagram video. Capturing a 319.9-kilogram (705.4-pound) raw back squat During the 2023 USA-UA Pioneer at the Beach. The competition was held on April 8 in South Padre Island, TX. According to Lehew’s caption, it was the first instance of an athlete completing a raw squat of at least 317.5 kilograms (700 pounds). A quick review of 27-year-old Lehev Open Powerlifting The profile confirms this fact. Lehev had previously attempted and failed at the same weight at the 2022 World Raw Powerlifting Federation (WRPF) PPC Finals.
Blake LeHew has long established himself as one of powerlifting’s top titans in the 82-kilogram division. However, many of the athletes’ achievements have come while competing raw with rounds. It includes, per cent Open Powerlifting, a world record total of 930 kilograms (2,050.3 pounds) was recognized in the first place result at the 2022 WRPF American Pro. As this 319.9-kilogram (705.4-pound) squat demonstrates, LeHev has officially taken his 82-kilogram catalog of accomplishments to the next level.
Along with his all-time raw competition best squat, Lehev achieved a personal record (PR) raw DOTS score of 620 – The ratio of the athlete’s body weight to the weight they lift. Lehew matched his all-time raw competition best of 915 kilograms (2,017.2 pounds), which he initially recorded during his first-place performance at the 2022 WRPF PPC Finals.
Here’s an overview of LeHeve’s top stats from the 2023 USA-UA Pioneer on the Beach:
Blake Lehew (82KG) | Pioneer in 2023 USA-UA Beach Top Stats
- Squat – 319.9 kilograms (705.4 pounds) | The best raw competition of all time
- Bench press – 220 kilograms (485 pounds)
- Deadlift – 374.9 kilograms (826.7 pounds)
- Total — 915 kilograms (2,017.2 pounds) | Sets the best of the Raw competition of all time
Notably, LeHeve teased his quest to surpass the 385-kilogram (848-pound) raw deadlift by performing beltless during a training session in late February 2023. The athlete failed to repeat her performance in the gym during the Pioneer on the Beach competition, as she summed up the rest of her performance as “subpar” in an Instagram post. That goal will have to wait for another competition.
Recounting his performance in the same Instagram post, LeHev — noting that it was the first time he’d brought an individual team to a full meet — seemed over the moon at what he could accomplish in this raw, sanctioned powerlifting setting.
It was one of the best and most collaborative moments of his professional career.
“It was the first time I was able to bring a team to a big meeting and it was one of the most rewarding experiences of my life.”
Featured image: @deadliftingorangutan on Instagram
