Lifter Spotlight – 7 Record-Breaking Women in Powerlifting

Powerlifting stands as a testament to human strength, resilience, and focus. Athletes test their limits in three core lifts: the squat, the bench press, and the deadlift. Each lifter must secure a valid attempt in each category to compile a total score.

Competitions are tense and precise, where a single missed lift can erase a competitor’s standing. The sport demands not just physical prowess but unwavering mental fortitude.

For women in powerlifting, the journey is both an athletic pursuit and a challenge to societal perceptions of strength. Their record-breaking lifts do more than push personal boundaries; they redefine expectations for female athletes worldwide.

1. Wendy Chan

This Australian athlete has established herself as a top lifter in the 48kg category. At the 2020 Oceania Powerlifting Championships, she set records with a 136kg squat, a 168kg deadlift, and a 380kg total.

Her lifts stood as both a testament to her technique and her preparation. However, Wendy’s record-breaking did not start or end there.

Earlier in her career, at the 2017 Oceania Powerlifting Championships, Wendy competed as a Junior lifter at a bodyweight of 46.65kg. She went 9-for-9, setting Junior World Records in the squat (132.5kg), deadlift (150kg), and total (355.5kg). Her Wilks Score of 480.6 at that meet highlighted her outstanding strength-to-weight ratio.

Chan’s consistency and determination demonstrate that champions are built over years of competition and growth. She transitioned from Junior to Senior categories while maintaining top performances.

Her records serve as a blueprint for the next generation of lifters, especially in the Asia-Pacific region, where she has inspired many to enter the sport.

2. Elizabeth Craven

The achievements in the 53kg class are nothing short of spectacular. Holding the squat record at 157kg and the deadlift record at 185kg, she has achieved a combined total of 427kg. These records, set in Virginia Beach in 2018, demonstrate consistent excellence and mastery in the sport of powerlifting.

She holds the squat record at 157 kg and the deadlift record at 185 kg, resulting in a total of 342 kg combined. These records were set in Virginia. Febrose Tsiode’s remarkable 110kg bench press at just 17 years old also adds to the significance of this category. However, Craven’s legacy extends beyond these numbers.

In August 2023, Craven added another highlight to her lifting career by setting a new IPF World Record in the -52kg raw no-wraps category at the Pacific Invitational in Sydney, Australia. She squatted 155.5kg without wraps, marking the highest squat recorded in this category across all federations.

This achievement placed her firmly at the top of the -52kg women’s rankings in Australia and globally. Craven’s record came after months of hard work, having narrowly missed the record with a 154kg squat at the Arnold Classic earlier that year. Her determination to return stronger paid off, leaving her mark in powerlifting history.

Craven’s journey shows how persistence, strategic training, and competition experience can lead to world records. Her focus is on holding records and claiming a world championship.

With her recent squat record and place among the world’s top-ranked lifters, Craven is set to continue pushing the limits.

3. Jess Sewastenko

Dominance in the 58kg class comes through a 193kg deadlift and a 436kg total, set in Sydney in 2019. These achievements underline her impressive strength and skill in powerlifting.

Sewastenko later shifted focus to weightlifting, but her powerlifting records remain a benchmark of what is possible in this category. The ability to adapt between sports speaks to her broad athletic capability and determination.

Her lifts represent more than raw strength—they demonstrate an athlete’s deep understanding of balance, technique, and timing. Sewastenko’s success shows the importance of leveraging mental clarity alongside physical training.

Her transition to weightlifting suggests her journey in strength sports continues, perhaps with future returns to reclaim old records.

4. Karlina Tongotea

A rare combination of strength, intelligence, and cultural pride has made her one of the most respected athletes in powerlifting. Her achievements in the 72kg class, including a deadlift record of 228kg and a total of 533kg set in Auckland in 2021, mark her as a leading figure in the sport.

These records demonstrate technical ability and dedication to training and preparation.

At just 28 years old, she has redefined the idea of “beauty and brains” by balancing a demanding medical career with her powerlifting pursuits. Initially drawn to sports like netball during her youth in New Zealand, she found that powerlifting offered a solo challenge, where performance was entirely in her hands.

Starting in 2017, she transitioned from casual gym sessions to competitive lifting, recognizing her innate talent and the thrill of testing her limits.

Tongotea’s commitment to excellence is reflected not only in her lifting achievements but also in her academic and professional life. She is a registered General Practitioner, having realized her childhood dream of following in her grandfather’s footsteps. Her grandfather was a doctor in Tonga, and his dedication to serving others inspired her to pursue medicine.

Tongotea is proud of her ability to balance patient care with her demanding training regimen. She views her powerlifting sessions as a way to refresh and reset, enabling her to return to her medical practice with renewed focus and energy.

Her cultural heritage plays a central role in her identity as an athlete. Tongotea embraces her Tongan, Māori, and Kiwi roots, acknowledging that her genetic heritage likely contributes to her strength. However, she emphasizes that success is also about hard work, discipline, and commitment.

She feels privileged to represent her heritage and country, wearing the silver fern of New Zealand proudly in international competitions. Her gold medal performance at the World Championships 2019 and her Oceania Championship title illustrate her consistent excellence and leadership in the sport.

Tongotea’s story illustrates how passion, heritage, and determination can forge a path that combines physical and professional aspirations. Her journey inspires athletes and non-athletes, showing that personal goals and community service coexist harmoniously.

5. Yan-Fei Zhao

A story of remarkable speed and success emerges from Box Hill, Australia. She began her competitive powerlifting journey in January 2014, introduced to the sport through the Melbourne University Powerlifting Club. Prior experience in fitness, bodybuilding, and CrossFit laid the groundwork for her quick transition into powerlifting.

In just 18 months, she advanced from gym training to world-class competition, demonstrating a natural talent for the sport and a rapid rise that reflects her dedication and potential.

By July 2015, at only 19 years old, Zhao clinched the women’s junior world championship title in the under-84kg division in Finland. Known to her teammates as “Yani,” she lifted a final deadlift of 182.5kg to secure first place in a tightly contested competition where all top five lifters were within 7.5kg of one another.

Her win at the junior world championships clearly showed her potential and determination. Zhao credits her coach, Robert Wilkes, for helping her develop the skills and confidence to succeed at the highest level.

After this early success, Zhao did not slow down. She set senior records, including a 203kg squat in 2020, a 221kg squat in 2024, and a 565kg total. These lifts reflect her dedication to continuous improvement and mastery of technique.

Despite considering switching to Olympic weightlifting, her decision to stay focused on powerlifting has paid off with record-breaking performances that inspire athletes across Australia and beyond.

Zhao’s rapid rise from a fitness enthusiast to a world champion powerlifter highlights the power of combining natural talent with structured coaching and focused ambition. Her story demonstrates that even with limited competitive experience, a lifter can achieve elite levels through dedication, strategy, and a profound passion for the sport.

With her strong records and bright future, Zhao remains a role model for powerlifters and fitness enthusiasts.

6. Deana D’Andrea

A total of 1,791 pounds (812kg) at the WPO Super Finals in 2021, with a 330kg squat, 217kg bench press, and 265kg deadlift, showcases dominance in the 181lb equipped class. This success represents the peak of focus and preparation.

Breaking Laura Phelps Stackhouse’s long-standing record by 21 pounds, these lifts prove that determination and the proper coaching can produce world-class results.

D’Andrea’s story of bouncing back from a missed meet to break a world record captures the spirit of powerlifting. Her journey reflects the sport’s demands: overcoming setbacks, focusing under pressure, and lifting with precision.

7. Tamara Walcott

A journey in powerlifting marked by resilience, determination, and record-breaking lifts has established her as a formidable competitor. Known for unwavering focus and a commanding presence on the platform, she has set all-time world records in both the raw deadlift and total categories.

At the 2022 World Raw Powerlifting Federation (WRPF) American Pro in Manassas, Virginia, a staggering 290 kilograms (639.4 pounds) was pulled on her third attempt, surpassing her previous world record and setting a new benchmark for female raw deadlifting in the +90kg class.

Her performance at this meet also included a 272.5-kilogram squat (600.7 pounds) and a 172.5-kilogram bench press (380.3 pounds), leading to a new all-time raw total world record of 737.5 kilograms (1,620.4 pounds). Walcott’s ability to achieve personal bests across all three lifts at a single competition is a testament to her strategic training and ability to perform under pressure.

The path to her record-breaking deadlift was anything but straightforward. Walcott completed a 275-kilogram lift on her first attempt but missed her second try at 290 kilograms. Undeterred, she returned for a third attempt, completing the lift with a conventional stance and mixed grip, earning three white lights from the judges.

This historic pull was even more remarkable because she broke her WRPF Bucked Up Showdown record in September 2021, lifting 288.5 kilograms.

In addition to her success at the WRPF American Pro, Walcott’s impressive lifts at the 2022 Rogue Record Breakers at the Arnold Sports Festival further cemented her legacy.

She pulled 290.7 kilograms (641 pounds) on the Elephant Bar Deadlift, claiming that record from strongwoman Andrea Thompson. Walcott’s achievements are not limited to isolated performances; they represent a consistent trajectory of progress and resilience.

Her story reflects more than just numbers. Walcott’s journey includes overcoming personal challenges, including a battle with food addiction, and transforming her life through powerlifting.

Her rise to the top of the sport, combined with her openness about her struggles and triumphs, makes her a role model for athletes worldwide. She has shown that personal setbacks can be the foundation for extraordinary comebacks.

As Walcott continues to set records and inspire lifters across the globe, her performances demonstrate that strength is as much about mental resilience and determination as it is about physical power. Every time she steps onto the platform, she not only lifts massive weights but also raises the bar for what women in powerlifting can achieve.

Conclusion

Women in powerlifting have transformed the sport, reshaping expectations and demonstrating that strength is not confined to any gender. Their records, which continue to climb, are more than just numbers—they represent years of commitment, technical refinement, and an unwavering belief in one’s ability to overcome barriers.

Across the platform, men’s powerlifting records in the USA have also seen historic progression, with athletes consistently raising the bar in all categories.

The stories of each lifter, from newcomers like Jessica Van Der Knaap to record-breaking veterans like Tamara Walcott and Karlina Tongotea, reveal a collective determination that goes beyond personal achievement.

Their feats inspire countless others, showing that limits are meant to be met and exceeded with focus, structured training, and relentless determination. This evolution of women’s powerlifting is not simply about breaking records; it’s about breaking mindsets and reshaping perceptions of what women can accomplish in strength sports.

Each lifter’s story carries a message of resilience and empowerment, encouraging others, regardless of gender, to step up to the bar, challenge their boundaries, and rise stronger in every aspect of life.