It’s Sullivan’s first deadlift milestone in an extended time.
On Mar. 12, 2023, Joe Sullivan shared an Instagram clip of himself capturing a raw deadlift of 345 kilograms (760.6 kilos) during a training session. The powerlifter utilized a sumo stance and a hook grip, and had only a lifting belt adorned for the strength feat. In accordance with Sullivan’s post, it’s the athlete’s first deadlift personal record (PR) in roughly six years after suffering a severe nerve injury. (Note: Sullivan stated the timeframe as seven years, but given the date he described as his last PR, that is probably going a typo.)
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Sullivan’s comments about finally breaking through a deadlift plateau present an interesting timeline for the world-class competitor.
The athlete noted that his last true raw deadlift PR of 340 kilograms (749.5 kilos) occurred in the course of the 2017 United States Powerlifting Association (USPA) Kern US Open. Sullivan would subsequently develop “nerve pain” and “nerve damage” sometime in 2018, but he didn’t specify how the injury occurred.
All of that said, Sullivan hasn’t shied away from attempting pulls in competition within the time since he developed his injury. In accordance with Open Powerlifting, the athlete has attempted at the least one deadlift in every contest of his profession dating back to April 2008, though his post-injury performance was clearly impacted — after 2018, Sullivan didn’t successfully pull any heavier than 317.5 kilograms (699.9 kilos) in competition. He also hasn’t recorded any PR, in training or in competition, eclipsing that 749.5-pound pull from roughly six years ago.
Moving forward, despite a slight struggle with this specific pull, Sullivan appeared to imply that this deadlifting milestone would mean more attempts at latest personal achievements in the long run.
” … And despite the fact that the down command was a bit of quick today, we’re nowhere near done,” Sullivan wrote. “It’s just a bit of farther now with a smile on my face.”
When it comes to recent accomplishments, Sullivan captured the all-time raw World Record back squat of 385 kilograms (848.8 kilos) for the 100-kilogram division in late September 2022. He achieved the mark during a third-place performance on the 2022 USPA Raw Pro. Prior to this competition’s third-place result, Sullivan had won six straight contests dating back to November 2017. Essentially the most notable amongst those victories is perhaps a triumph within the 2020 WRPF The Showdown where he achieved his highest ever raw total of 910.5 kilograms (2007.4 kilos).
Off the competition platform, Sullivan doesn’t slack in performance either. In 2022, he recorded 19 reps of a 230-kilogram (507-pound) squat AMRAP (As Many Reps As Possible). The goal was inspired by 1980 Mr. Universe Tom Platz.
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Whatever future the holds in store for Sullivan, whether high-level competition or training PRs, he’s likened to make it brilliant. By finally breaking the seal on his deadlift proficiency and returning to form, the powerlifting world could possibly be his oyster.
Featured image: @joesullivan_aod on Instagram