Herndon’s squat achievement was an extended time coming.
Phillip Herndon just isn’t one to tip-toe around a loaded barbell. As his competitive resume and Instagram profile of coaching feats illustrate, he’s an athlete prepared to place the pedal to the metal each time he steps into the gym. After his most up-to-date accomplishment, the powerlifter now has the record books backing up his mentality again.
On Mar. 18, 2023, throughout the United States Powerlifting Coalition (USPC) Mid-Atlantic Classic & Regional Championship, Herndon captured a 411-kilogram (906.1-pound) raw back squat. In line with Open Powerlifting, the milestone just isn’t only Herndon’s all-time raw competition best, it’s the raw all-time World Record for the 125-kilogram (275-pound) weight class. Herndon donned a lifting belt, knee sleeves, and wrist wraps throughout the groundbreaking achievement. At a body weight of 117 kilograms (258 kilos), well below the burden class cap, he’s the lightest athlete to squat a minimum of 408.2 kilograms (900 kilos) raw with sleeves.
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Herndon’s World Record squat within the 125-kilogram division officially surpasses his peer Dennis Cornelius by one kilogram. Per Open Powerlifting, Cornelius recorded the now-broken raw all-time World Record of 410 kilograms (903.9 kilos) on the 2017 United States Powerlifting Association (USPA) Freedom Fitness Classic.
Herndon adds his 125-kilogram raw World Record to a mantel that already features the 110-kilogram record of 395 kilograms (870.8 kilos). Herndon achieved that mark on the 2022 World Raw Powerlifting Federation (WRPF) The Freaks Come Out At Night. In the interim, the competition marked the athlete’s last appearance within the division before formally transitioning to compete at 125 kilograms.
Along with his squat record, Herndon notched respective raw all-time competition bests on the deadlift (382.3 kilograms/844 kilos) and total (1,023.7 kilograms/2,257 kilos), while matching his best ever raw bench press (230 kilograms/507 kilos).
Herndon’s recent performance places him fourth within the 125-kilogram all-time total record books, just behind Larry “Wheels” Williams who totaled 1031.9 kilograms (2275 kilos) on the 2017 Revolution Powerlifting Syndicate (RPS) Insurrextion VI.
Here’s an outline of Herndon’s record-setting performance:
Phillip Herndon (125KG) | 2023 USPC Mid-Atlantic Regional Championship Top Stats
- Squat — 411 kilograms (906.1 kilos) | All-Time Raw World Record
- Bench Press — 230 kilograms (507 kilos)
- Deadlift — 382.3 kilograms (844 kilos) | All-Time Raw Competition Best
- Total — 1,023.7 kilograms (2,257 kilos) | All-Time Raw Competition Best
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Now in possession of two raw World Records in two separate divisions, Herndon could theoretically rest on his laurels for a time frame as he recuperates and plans his next display of strength. Nonetheless, something says this superstar is simply just getting began with an eraser and pencil for the record books.
Featured image: @phillip_herndon on Instagram