Singapore powerlifter Farhanna Farid sets deadlift world record for 9th time in two years

SINGAPORE – With a previous injury at the back of her mind, Singapore powerlifter Farhanna Farid has been walking a tightrope in training and taking measures to prevent flare-ups.

But that has not stopped her from rewriting the women’s Under-52kg deadlift world record for the ninth time in the last two years.

With a 209kg heave at the World Open Classic Powerlifting Championships in Druskininkai, Lithuania on June 16, she added another kilogram to her previous record set in December 2023.

The 31-year-old said: “Extending the deadlift world record was and is always my top priority going into competitions, regardless of their scale. Nonetheless, the feeling of shock and surreality that comes with a world record never gets old. 

“I typically don’t hit these numbers during training so to be able to hit them on competition day itself always comes with some relief and disbelief. My coach realised with proper programming, I’m able to maintain a certain level of performance on the platform, without pushing my body too hard during training.”

Farhanna, who first made history in 2022 by lifting 197kg and 200.5kg to break the world record twice at the world championships in South Africa, has been managing a back injury since she competed in the 2023 edition of the event.

She credited her physiotherapists for her back holding up during the recent competition. 

“This time around, I was more prepared with managing my body’s aches and pains,” she said. “I knew what sort of red flags to look out for and we had put measures (such as) rehabilitation exercises and drills in place to prevent the flare-ups.”

If Farhanna does not recover from back soreness or tightness before the next session, she will increase rehabilitation work or lower the training intensity, so as not to worsen her condition.

She added: “While my back felt stronger after that injury because of all the work we had done to fortify it, it will threaten to act up time and again. Warming up well and training conscientiously then, has become a non-negotiable for me.”

Powerlifting comprises three disciplines – squat, bench press and deadlift.

In the squat, the athlete has to place the bar behind the shoulders, lower into a squat position and return to an upright position. In the bench press, he or she lies on a bench and pushes the bar up.

For the deadlift, the athlete starts the lift by pulling the barbell in a single upward movement until his or her shoulders, hips and knees are fully locked. To complete the sequence, the bar has to be lowered to the ground without dropping.

The best of three attempts in each event is tallied. With a 137.5kg squat, 70kg bench press and 209kg deadlift, Farhanna finished eighth in her weight class with a personal-best 416.5kg total. But she is still not satisfied.

She said: “It is my best score on the platform to date but I did feel like it reflected a little under what I expected… especially for my squat and bench press. My priority is to always raise the glass ceiling for the deadlift world records but we’ve been working hard for the squat and bench press, my two weaker lifts, to catch up. 

“I’m not fully satisfied and we still have more work to do.”

Powerlifting Singapore general secretary Kang Goo Young said Farhanna’s continued success in “breaking the world record year after year is an embodiment of her resilience and determination”. He added: “She is a true testimonial of strength training and persistently breaks the stereotype that women aren’t suppose to strength train.”

Next up for Farhanna will be the Dec 1-10 Asian Classic Powerlifting Championships in Uzbekistan, where it would not be too much of a surprise if she breaks the world record for a 10th time.