Jesus Olivares has quickly become one of the most exciting and respected powerlifters of all-time. He solidified his position has one of the all-time greats with his electrifying March 2023 performance at the IPF Sheffield Powerlifting Championships, where he totaled 1,152.5 kg (nearly 2,541 pounds), setting the world record for raw, drug-tested powerlifters.
Still in his mid-20s, Jesus Olivares has the potential to break Ray Williams’ all-time raw squat record (1,080 lbs) and set new records for the raw total.
Here’s a look at five of Jesus Olivares’ most impressive lifts, both in powerlifting meets and in the gym.
The 5 Most Impressive Lifts by Jesus Olivares
1,036 lb Squat at 2023 Sheffield Powerlifting Championships
Jesus’s massive 1,036 pound squat set the tone for his March 25, 2023 performance at the Sheffield World Championships. Not only was this a PR for Jesus, but it also tied Jezza Uepa for the 2nd heaviest raw squat of all-time. Of course, Ray Williams holds the record for the heaviest raw squat of all-time at 1,080 lbs.
Jesus would go on to bench 600.7 lb and deadlift 903.9 lb, setting a new world record for the raw total at 2,540.8 lb.
903 lb Deadlift at 2023 Sheffield Powerlifting Championships
Jesus’s 903.9 lb deadlift at the Sheffield World Championships secured him the world record total at this historic meet.
Not only did this attempt choice look conservative (it absolutely flies off the ground), it was also initially red-lighted for a weak lock out, with two red lights to one white light. This initial decision was protested, at which point the referee jury was given the opportunity to review the lift. Upon review, the initial decision was reversed and the deadlift was ruled a “good lift.”
1,020 lb Squat in November 2023 Gym Session
While not quite as heavy as his legendary 1,036 lb squat, this training squat is the second heaviest that Jesus Olivares has performed. Considering he’s still 12 weeks out from the 2024 IPF Sheffield Powerlifting Championships in this clip, it begs the question: how heavy will he squat in that competition?
992 lb Squat at 2022 Classic Open Nationals
As a 23 year old junior, Jesus Olivares set the world record in the squat and total for raw lifters at the 2022 Classic Open Nationals in Texas. His 992 lb squat smashed the previous 946 lb record set by Joseph Pena in 2021.
This squat set him up to eventually break the junior world record total by 143 lbs, surpassing Erick Lewis’s 2019 total of 2,303.8 lbs.
887 lb Deadlift at 2022 Classic Open Nationals
This 887 lb deadlift is not only the 3rd highest raw deadlift for juniors in a full power meet, it also helped Jesus secure his world record junior total of 2,447 lbs. This one absolutely flew off the ground, hinting at the power he displayed a year later in his 903 lb deadlift in Sheffield.
About Jesus Olivares
Jesus Olivares was born and raised in Texas, the strongest powerlifting state in the USA. From a young age, he was immersed in a culture that valued strength and discipline, which ignited his interest in powerlifting. He competed in his first powerlifting meet at age 14, quickly distinguishing himself by totaling 1,665 lb by age 16.
While best known for this squat, he is an exceptionally well-rounded powerlifter, helping him secure the largest raw total in the world at 2,540 lb.
You can follow Jesus Olivares on Instagram and YouTube.
