For a brief moment, powerlifting history appeared to change.
A man had reportedly squatted 600 kilograms, which equals 1,322 pounds. A 600kg squat is one of the final barriers in the sport, a milestone many believed would take years to reach.
But only days later, the lift was overturned. The record no longer stands.
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The Attempt
The lift in question was performed by Romney Woodward at the meet. Woodward loaded the bar to 600 kilograms and completed the attempt in competition.
As expected, clips spread quickly across social media, and the powerlifting community began analyzing the lift from every angle.
The Depth Debate
In powerlifting, few topics are debated more than squat depth. The standard is simple in writing, but difficult to judge in real time at extreme loads.
After the footage circulated, many lifters and coaches questioned whether the squat clearly met competition depth requirements. From multiple viewing angles, including the front view, the attempt did not appear to reach a clear depth position for many viewers.
If you want a clear breakdown of what referees are looking for, including how depth is defined, here is a full explanation of the squat rules and technique standards in powerlifting. One key takeaway? “Regardless of the powerlifting federation, you will need to squat to a minimum level of depth, show control at both start and end by having your knees locked, maintain your balance, and have constant forward motion of the barbell (no dipping or bouncing).”
The Lift Was Overturned
Shortly after the discussion intensified, it was announced that the governing federation for the event reviewed the attempt. After review, the lift was overturned and would not stand as a world record due to depth concerns.
Romney Woodward handled the situation professionally and publicly acknowledged the decision. He took the shot, attempted a historic weight, and accepted that it did not meet competition standards.
Why Standards Matter More Than Numbers
A 600kg squat is a monumental display of strength. However, in powerlifting, numbers only matter if they meet competition standards.
This is not about effort. Woodward loaded the weight and attempted something few people in history have dared to try. The reality is that competition lifting operates under one rule: if the lift does not meet the technical criteria, it does not count.
Standards protect the integrity of the sport. If depth becomes negotiable at record weights, every major lift that follows becomes questionable.
Bottom Line
For a few days, it looked like powerlifting had its first 600kg squat. You can view footage of the attempt on Instagram.
After review, the lift was overturned due to depth concerns and no longer stands as a world record. Records are not defined by weight alone. They are defined by weight meeting the standard.
The race to a true 600kg squat is still on.
