All-Time World Records
What should you REALLY be looking at?
I think all PRs should be celebrated, and OpenPowerlifting is the greatest thing since sliced bread. However, there is no term that comes with more sanctity in Powerlifting than “All Time World Record.” Truly, there is no greater accomplishment than one of these- and there needs to be some clearing of the air as to what actually entails someone to declare that they possess one.
Of course, this article will not stop any self-absorbed shitheads from using their pretend records to advertise themselves as ATWR-holders. If you’re new to powerlifting and need help sifting through bullshit, though; this is your guide to understanding who is truly great, and who is masquerading as such.
Fair warning, it is a little convoluted; but I promise you will notice the commonalities and it will make sense.
The real question at hand is what is and isn’t worth segregating on OpenPowerlifting. With enough filters, anyone can make themselves look competitive. Let’s break this down filter by filter:
All Feds
You should leave it at this. It can be helpful to look at certain feds if you’re trying to qualify for something; but when it comes to claiming an ATWR it has to be among all feds.
There is an asterisk needed here for drug use. There are options on OpenPowerlifting for “All Tested Feds” and “All Fully Tested Lifters.” Leave these alone, especially in gear. If you want to see where you stack up personally, do whatever you wish; but they are bullshit and I will explain to you why: I am a natural lifter (get your laughs out now) but most of my meets go on OpenPowerlifting as “Pro.” Why? It is cheaper for a meet director to just not drug test me, even when I enter as AM; when I break a pro total. However, I won’t know if they did this until the meet hits OpenPL. Especially in equipped, where the drug tested population basically cuts every weight class in half by default- the “Tested” categories are EVEN THINNER due to meet directors having a bottom line. This is on top of how easy it is for dishonest people to pass tests, or the popular to have their hot tests get thrown away! *cough* *cough* *USAPL*
Equipment Division
Very valid to separate this here. However, there are some small things to note. If you’re looking at a bench or deadlift record, there’s no reason to go to just “Raw” as opposed to “Raw+Wraps.” Wraps only make a difference on the squat and total.
You may think the same applies to “Unlimited” for our equipped friends, but it is important to note that “Unlimited” also allows for knee/wrist wraps longer than any other division, and exotic materials in squat/deadlift gear (despite this not being super prevalent, it is worth noting). So, if you compete in true “Multi-Ply,” you are well within your right to stick to that division for squat, deadlift, and total.
Weight Classes
Yes, sort to your weight class. Unless you have an absolute/”limit” weight record.
Sex
Again, yes.
Age Group
This is a big gray area and will lead to many differing opinions. In my humble opinion, I think the youth/teen divisions are valid as well as some of the 50+ masters ones. However, junior and submaster are rather silly. If you want to look at these to see where you are relative to other greats when they were your age, be my guest. I think this is a great way to see if you’re on a good path. But largely, these records are meaningless. It does not matter where you start, but where you finish.
Year
You wouldn’t really call these “records” but it can be useful to see how competitive you are in your respective division among who is actually competing right now.
Events
The only real use for these is when you compete full power and want to see if you have the highest full power bench or deadlift. Obviously, not squatting before you bench provides an advantage in terms of fatigue. But, there is no reason to look at lifts the other way around.
Sorting
Relatively self explanatory- sort by lift or total to see what the records are in your respective division.
Put it All Together
Armed with this knowledge, let’s go over an example of what a real ATWR is, found via OpenPowerlifting:
“All Feds” - “Multi-Ply” - “275lbs” - “All Sexes”- “All Ages” - “All Years” - “All Events” - “By Bench”
What are we greeted with at the number 1 spot? Jimmy Kolb with a 1035lb bench. You would call this the “Multi-Ply 275 ATWR.”
I hope this provides some clarity and helps you see through the absolute sea of bullshit online. Go out there and break some real ATWRs!