Best clearly still has loads of that intangible “it” in reserve.
On May 28, 2023, strength icon Nick Best shared an Instagram clip of himself scoring a 350-kilogram (771.6-pound) back squat with wraps during a training session. The lively powerlifter and retired strongman competitor was fully adorned during this massive lift. He donned a lifting belt and knee wraps, and utilized wrist wraps to assist assist with the monstrous squat. Furthermore, the 54-year-old Best captured this squat with wraps roughly five months within the aftermath of an early January 2023 nephrectomy — the surgical removal of either of the kidneys.
Established powerlifting stars Joe Sullivan and Jayvion Wyche were readily available to identify Best for his squat that took place at their mutual Dragon’s Lair Gym in Clark County, NV. In keeping with the go surfing Open Powerlifting, Sullivan is the all-time raw squat World Record holder within the 100-kilogram weight class with a lift of 385.9 kilograms (850.9 kilos) on the 2023 World Raw Powerlifting Federation (WRPF) Battle of the Yard 8.
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This squat didn’t come without an apparent challenge to Best. Though the athlete appeared to have full control as he lowered himself into the “hole,” Best looked as if it would take his time through the rep and saw a little bit little bit of a struggle. Nonetheless, Best managed to complete off the squat single with a successful lockout and notable power milestone after his surgery earlier within the yr.
To construct on this huge squat with wraps, Best also shared a video of himself capturing a 306.1-kilogram (675-pound) raw deadlift. In keeping with the caption of this specific post, it was essentially the most weight Best has pulled since his January nephrectomy. The athlete capped his deadlift from a narrow stance while wearing a lifting belt and utilizing a mixed grip.
Per BarBend, Best is indeed preparing for a proper return to sanctioned powerlifting. The athlete plans to compete again on the 2023 WRPF National Championship. The competition will happen on Sep. 22-24, 2023, in Las Vegas, NV. It’s unclear what weight class Best will feature in, but he’ll likely be a component of the Men’s 50-54 division based on his age on the time of competition. These two recent training lifts were likely about Best testing his current limits before he makes a return to an official powerlifting platform.
Best’s last sanctioned powerlifting appearance occurred on the 2022 WRPF FQ Classic 2 in early May 2022. The competition saw the athlete ending in first place within the Men’s 50-54 division with wraps while participating within the 140-kilogram weight class.
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From his recent kidney surgery to a lat injury in 2021, Best has seen plenty of obstacles appear in his path in recent times. None of those unexpected circumstances appear to be slowing down a strength dynamo like him because he continues to plow forward in his legendary profession.
Featured image: @nickbeststrongman on Instagram