Mackey won his own personal “iron war” with this deadlift.
By now, Joe Mackey has a deserved repute for being one among the strongest skilled bodybuilders of all time. The International Federation of Bodybuilding and Fitness (IFBB) Pro League member has made past headlines for being a flexible deadlifting dynamo, having once pulled 385.5 kilograms (850 kilos) on the Iron Wars VI in 2022. With a recent 12 months in full swing, Mackey built on that strength feat, illustrating the months ahead may be much more fruitful.
On Jan. 13, 2023, Mackey successfully deadlifted 412.8 kilograms (910 kilos) through the Iron Wars VII contest in Signal Hill, CA. Mackey’s pulling showcase is a private record (PR). It was one among the fitting headline moments for strength personality C.T. Fletcher’s annual competition allowing various athletes to display unique power. Mackey used a standard stance, wore a lifting belt and lifting straps to assist along with his pull, and even had weight plates taped to the ends of his overloaded barbell to offer enough of a challenge.
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Mackey’s staggering pull didn’t come and not using a struggle. The athlete grinds through his rep slowly as he tries to succeed in lockout, noticeably shaking as the gang of onlookers around his lifting platform encourages the athlete to succeed in recent heights. Eventually, upon his successful pull, Mackey almost seemed to be relieved he finished, shaking his head after emphatically dropping the load before stepping away.
Mackey offered a succinct and prideful reflection about his massive lift in a post on his Instagram. The bodybuilder/powerlifter had unsuccessfully tried to tug the identical weight during a training session lower than one month earlier, making this deadlift achievement all of the more momentous.
“I used to be capable of get the lockout, but I desired to hold it with my signature smile at the highest!” Mackey wrote. “Unfortunately, 910 kilos kept wanting to tug me down, but … we’ll count it! Ever since I missed this one weeks ago, I’ve been fascinated with this lift day after day! Nine hundred and ten kilos, much respect to you, but [expletive] you now! Next!”
In a bodybuilding context, Mackey may be separating himself from his peers and past icons regarding deadlift prowess. Eight-time Mr. Olympia (1998-2005) Ronnie Coleman once drew praise for a deadlift of 362.8 kilograms (800 kilos) through the 12 months 2000 while working towards an Olympia title defense. Mackey has since cleared that bar by leaps and bounds, but was notably not preparing for any major bodybuilding competition just like the legendary Coleman.
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Without official records for competitive bodybuilders who wish to test their strength through a powerlifting prism, it’s unclear where Mackey’s latest PR deadlift stands in the game’s history. Nonetheless, it’s very likely one among the largest-ever pulls by someone who also makes it some extent to point out off their skilled physique on a stage.
The 12 months 2023 has begun with a bang for Mackey. If this deadlift was his first significant step forward on the turn of the calendar, it probably won’t be the last time he’s heard from in the approaching months.
Featured image: @jmackey33_ifbbpro on Instagram