The 76-kilogram weight class of the 2023 IPF World Classic Open Powerlifting Championships was one of the most heavily contested in the entire competition. Multiple elite women took part in this weight class, so anyone who managed to outperform others deserves great praise. Notably, Sophia Ellis crushed everyone on the deadlifts, setting new European and British Records with a lift of 245 kilograms (540.1 pounds).
There was no doubt about the validity of Sophia Ellis’ 245-kilogram (540.1-pound) record breaking deadlift since she made sure that every detail of her technique was perfect. Moreover, Sophia believed that there was more left in the tank because of the ease with which the deadlift moved.
“So pleased with how this weight moved and so psyched to know there is more there. 250kg pending ⏳”
Both records were in the possession of Sophia Ellis beforehand as well, but the more notable one, the EPF European Record, was set at the 2022 EPF European Classic Powerlifting Championships. At that competition, Sophia locked out 240.5 kilograms (530.2 pounds), but she has now lifted 4.5 kilograms (9.9 pounds) more.
Sophia Ellis weighed in at 74.7 kilograms (164.7 pounds) for the 2023 IPF World Championships, making the record-breaking deadlift 3.3x her bodyweight. She also found success in other events, setting new competition PRs in Squat and Total. Moreover, her Total turned out to be a British Record as well.
Sophia Ellis performed exactly as she envisioned, successfully completing all nine of her attempts. She ended up taking fourth place overall, just short of the podium.
225 kilograms (496 pounds) 237.5 kilograms (523.6 pounds) 245 kilograms (534.6 pounds) — U76KG EPF European & British Record
Total — 542.5 kilograms (1,196 pounds) — U76KG British Record & Competition PR
“Last year’s worlds didn’t go to plan, so this time around I wanted to make sure I lifted to the standard I know I’m capable of…and that’s exactly what I did and more.”
British Juniors Classic Powerlifting Championships
FR-Jr
964.5
427.32
Location
UK
Competition
British Juniors Classic Powerlifting Championships
Division
FR-Jr
Age
~22.5
Equipment
Raw
Class
185.2
Weight
164.5
Squat
286.6
308.6
319.7
319.7
Bench
203.9
215
-220.5
215
Deadlift
396.8
429.9
-446.4
429.9
GLP
87.03
1
CommonwealthPF
2019-09-15
Commonwealth Championships
Juniors
220.5
99.88
Location
Canada
Competition
Commonwealth Championships
Division
Juniors
Age
~22.5
Equipment
Raw
Class
158.7
Weight
157.8
Bench
209.4
215
220.5
220.5
GLP
78.52
1
CommonwealthPF
2019-09-15
Commonwealth Championships
Juniors
976.6
443.08
Location
Canada
Competition
Commonwealth Championships
Division
Juniors
Age
~22.5
Equipment
Raw
Class
158.7
Weight
157.4
Squat
292.1
314.2
-330.7
314.2
Bench
209.4
221.6
-227.1
221.6
Deadlift
418.9
440.9
-457.5
440.9
GLP
90.1
2
EPF
2019-08-07
European Classic Bench Press Championships
Juniors
220.5
98.47
Location
Luxembourg
Competition
European Classic Bench Press Championships
Division
Juniors
Age
~22.5
Equipment
Raw
Class
185.2
Weight
162
Bench
209.4
-220.5
220.5
220.5
GLP
77.73
1
EPA
2019-06-22
English Bench Press Championships
FR-Jr
209.4
94.69
Location
England
Competition
English Bench Press Championships
Division
FR-Jr
Age
~22.5
Equipment
Raw
Class
158.7
Weight
158.4
Bench
198.4
209.4
-220.5
209.4
GLP
74.48
1
EPA
2019-05-25
Womens All England Powerlifting Championships
FR-Jr
953.5
432.58
Location
England
Competition
Womens All England Powerlifting Championships
Division
FR-Jr
Age
~22.5
Equipment
Raw
Class
158.7
Weight
157.4
Squat
281.1
297.6
314.2
314.2
Bench
198.4
215
-220.5
215
Deadlift
402.3
424.4
424.4
GLP
87.96
5
IPF
2019-05-18
World Bench Press Championships
Juniors
209.4
94.81
Location
Japan
Competition
World Bench Press Championships
Division
Juniors
Age
~22.5
Equipment
Raw
Class
158.7
Weight
158
Bench
192.9
209.4
-231.5
209.4
GLP
74.55
8
BP
2019-03-02
British Womens Classic Powerlifting Championships
F-C-Open
898.4
408.52
Location
UK
Competition
British Womens Classic Powerlifting Championships
Division
F-C-Open
Age
~22.5
Equipment
Raw
Class
158.7
Weight
156.7
Squat
264.6
286.6
303.1
303.1
Bench
181.9
-192.9
192.9
192.9
Deadlift
402.3
-424.4
-424.4
402.3
GLP
83.06
2
BP
2019-02-23
British Classic Bench Press Championships
F-C-U23
192.9
87.72
Location
UK
Competition
British Classic Bench Press Championships
Division
F-C-U23
Age
~22.5
Equipment
Raw
Class
158.7
Weight
156.7
Bench
181.9
192.9
-198.4
192.9
GLP
68.89
1
EPA
2018-10-01
Greater London Push Pull
F-C-Open
573.2
254.86
Location
England
Competition
Greater London Push Pull
Division
F-C-Open
Age
~21.5
Equipment
Raw
Class
185.2
Weight
163.4
Bench
170.9
-187.4
187.4
187.4
Deadlift
352.7
374.8
385.8
385.8
7
BP
2018-09-22
British Junior Womens Powerlifting Championships
F-C-U23
821.2
373.73
Location
UK
Competition
British Junior Womens Powerlifting Championships
Division
F-C-U23
Age
~21.5
Equipment
Raw
Class
158.7
Weight
156.5
Squat
220.5
242.5
264.6
264.6
Bench
165.3
181.9
-192.9
181.9
Deadlift
341.7
358.3
374.8
374.8
GLP
75.98
2
EPA
2018-07-07
Greater London Divisional Championships
F-C-Open
738.5
336.89
Location
England
Competition
Greater London Divisional Championships
Division
F-C-Open
Age
~21.5
Equipment
Raw
Class
158.7
Weight
155.9
Squat
198.4
-220.5
220.5
220.5
Bench
143.3
159.8
176.4
176.4
Deadlift
308.6
341.7
-363.8
341.7
GLP
68.49
3
EPA
2018-03-18
GL Divisional
F-C-Open
666.9
301.17
Location
England
Competition
GL Divisional
Division
F-C-Open
Age
~21.5
Equipment
Raw
Class
158.7
Weight
158.7
Squat
165.3
198.4
198.4
Bench
137.8
148.8
-154.3
148.8
Deadlift
286.6
308.6
319.7
319.7
GLP
61.25
Data Source: Open Powerlifting. Last Updated: April 12, 2023
Sophia Ellis has been competing for five years, but she has already taken part in 30 sanctioned competitions. She has won 14 of them, with the most notable being the 2022 EPF European Classic Powerlifting Championships.
Sophia Ellis has been getting consistently better over the past years, which will hopefully continue for years to come. With a new European Deadlift Record, she proved that she is performing better than she ever has before. As she states, there is still much room to improve. So, Sophia will continue improving and chasing world records.
