A competitive step seems inevitable for Muluh.
In powerlifting, some lifters have the potential to achieve feats adjacent to the world record during any ordinary training or sanctioned competition. On March 15, 2023, Sonita Muluh provided a prime example. strength phenomenon when she captured a 280 kilogram (617.3 lb) raw back squat during a recent coaching session. Muluh wore wrist guards, knee pads and a lifting belt for the squat.
Muluh’s massive lift is particularly notable as she exceeds the all-time gross world record in the +90 kilogram weight class by one kilogram (2.2 pounds). According Open powerlifting, the current brand belongs to April Mathis, who scored a 278.9 kilogram (615 pound) squat at the American Powerlifting Federation (APF) Southern States in 2011. Muluh is a regular +84 kilogram weightlifter under the jurisdiction of the International Powerlifting Federation (IPF). This brand has proven untouchable for more than a decade.
If Muluh were to transfer this squat number to an IPF competition, it would be 2.9 kilograms (6.4 pounds) more … than Bonica Brown IPF gross world record in the +84 category. Brown was squatting 273.5 kilograms (602.9 pounds) in a 2022 IPF Classic Powerlifting World Championships performance and is recognized as one of the greatest weightlifters of all time, with seven IPF world titles (2014-2019, 2022) to her name.
With the respective +84-kilogram and +90-kilogram divisions having no concrete weight caps, there’s also no underlying caveat to Muluh’s workout success. He remains tied with Mathis and Brown for those reasons unrelated to the weight cap.
By Open powerlifting, here’s a look at the all-time best records from Muluh’s raw competition. The athlete has only ever competed in the +84 kilogram weight class:
Sonita Muluh | All-time best records in raw competition
- Squat — 270 kilograms (595.2 pounds)
- Bench Press — 137.5 kilograms (303.1 pounds)
- Deadlift — 253.5 kilograms (558.9 pounds)
- Total — 661 kilograms (1,457.2 pounds)
At the time of this article’s publication, Muluh does not appear to have any upcoming contest plans. In recent Instagram posts, Muluh mentioned the focus on reduce body weight without specifically mentioning a possible change of weight category.
“Being on a cutting diet and 2 kg [4.4 pounds] down already now to 120 kg [264.5 pounds] body weight and weights are still moving.
For now, it looks like the athlete will be waiting to potentially set a competitive squat world record. That said, Muluh’s competitive record is excellent, as the powerlifter has emerged victorious on eight out of 11 occasions. Muluh is the defender Champion of the European Powerlifting Federation (EPF) in the gross division of +84 kg. She has only won one competitive victory in her six appearances in the 2022 contest, at this iteration of the IPF World Championships.
The future looks bright for Muluh, one of the stars and established names in powerlifting. It’s a name the sport could soon see comfortably etched in the international record books.
Featured Image: @sonita_ml on Instagram
