The enduring powerlifter continues to indicate impressive longevity.
On July 10, 2023, World’s Strongest Man (WSM) champion Mitchell Hooper posted a video to his YouTube channel featuring a leg-training session with strength sports icon Nick Best. After some warm-ups and deliberative conversation along with his eventual spotter in Hooper, the 54-year-old Best successfully locks out a 364.2-kilogram (802.9-pound) back squat with wraps starting at across the 4:45 mark within the video. In accordance with Best within the video, it’s now the twenty seventh consecutive 12 months that the athlete has squatted no less than this much weight for one rep. In a post on his Instagram, Hooper called it an “absolute privilege” to observe Best proceed his personal tradition.
“That makes 27 years now. The primary time was in 1996.”
Best wore a lifting belt, knee sleeves, and wrist wraps to assist him along with his squatting achievement. Such an equipment set-up would count under a “Wraps” qualification in a sanctioned powerlifting context. Best stays an energetic skilled powerlifter but retired from competitive strongman in November 2022.
More from Breaking Muscle:
After ending his squat, Best and Hooper would spend the rest of their session performing some deadlifts. At the height of their pulling segment, Best repped out 227 kilograms (500.4 kilos), while Hooper worked with 275 kilograms (606.2 kilos). Best wore a lifting belt and lifting straps for his deadlifts, while Hooper appeared to have just utilized lifting straps.
Best’s latest milestone squat comes on the heels of the athlete pushing himself full throttle roughly a half 12 months after a nephrectomy — the surgical removal of a kidney. In April 2023, Best shared footage of himself performing seated iso lateral rows with the very best weight of 244.9 kilograms (540 kilos) for eight repetitions. Then, roughly a month later, in late May 2023, Best recorded a 350-kilogram (771.6-pound) squat with wraps.
If the athlete had seen any sick effects from his surgery recovery, it wasn’t apparent with these two training tidbits. It also definitely isn’t evident if Best can squat the identical weight he’s been squatting for nearly three a long time.
At this stage within the 12 months, it seems the legend is back to his customary full strength.
More from Breaking Muscle:
On the time of this text’s publication, in line with his personal page on Open Powerlifting, it has been over a 12 months since Best last competed in a powerlifting contest. The athlete has not yet announced when he’ll compete again but doesn’t appear to have ruled out a return. Best could also be waiting to recuperate completely before making any commitments — a logical bet that appears to be understanding with flying colours within the gym.
Featured image: @nickbeststrongman on Instagram