Hugdal rewrote history with this lift.
On August 6, 2023, Hildeborg Juvet Hugdal recorded a 235.5-kilogram (519.1-pound) equipped bench press throughout the 2023 European Powerlifting Federation (IPF) Equipped Bench Press Championships in Bordeaux, France. The milestone helped Hugdal to first place and is a World Record within the +84-kilogram weight class. Additionally it is the single heaviest equipped lift by a Women’s powerlifter within the history of the IPF’s jurisdiction.
Hugdal wore wrist wraps, a lifting belt, and a single-ply bench press shirt for stability during her record-breaking bench press. The athlete’s latest World Record within the +84-kilogram class is an extension of her own mark from the 2022 IPF Equipped World Championships, surpassing it by 5.5 kilograms (12.1 kilos). The IPF distinguishes between single lifts and full-competition lifts in its official record database. Hugdal has her name written under each descriptors. With Hugdal having turned 40 recently, the press can also be a Masters 1 (ages 40-49) World Record. A video of the competitor’s monumental strength feat is featured below via the official Instagram page of the IPF.
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Within the context of her overall bench-pressing performance, Hugdal actually matched her previous World Record on her second attempt. She then vied for the brand new milestone and locked it out with ease, if the video of her accomplishment is any indication.
Here’s an outline of Hugdal’s bench press performance on the 2023 EPF Equipped Bench Press Championships:
Hildeborg Hugdal (+84KG) | 2023 EPF Equipped Bench Press Championships Performance Rundown
- First attempt: 222.5 kilograms (491 kilos)
- Second attempt: 230 kilograms (507 kilos)
- Third attempt: 235.5 kilograms (519 kilos) — IPF Equipped World Record
Hugdal is used to astonishing achievements on sanctioned lifting platforms. The Norwegian athlete has over 20 years of competitive powerlifting experience with a wide range of Norwegian, Danish, European, and World titles to her name. In a competitive profession with over 90 appearances dating back to January 1998, the prolific Hugdal has lost on just 26 occasions.
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Hugdal is the defending +84-kilogram IPF Equipped World champion. The veteran athlete will likely defend her title on the 2023 iteration, which is able to happen on November 13-18, 2023, in Druskininkai, Lithuania.