Brittany Bowles Breaks 7-Year-Old World Record With Massive 1,280-Pound Raw Total at the 2026 American Pro
Brittany Bowles delivered a record-breaking performance at the 2026 American Pro, Competing in the U60KG weight class, Bowles totaled 581 kilograms (1,280.9 pounds) across the squat, bench press, and deadlift. That was enough to establish a new U60KG Raw Total World Record, narrowly surpassing a mark that had stood for seven years.
The previous record belonged to legendary powerlifter Marianna Gasparyan, who totaled 580 kilograms (1,278.7 pounds) at the 2019 USPA The Tribute.
Bowles needed virtually every kilogram of her performance to take it down.
Brittany Bowles Battles Through Massive Weight Cut
Before Bowles could chase the record, however, she first had to make the U60KG weight limit.
Bowles revealed on Instagram that she cut from 152.4 pounds to an official weigh-in of just 131.34 pounds (59.7 kilograms). Even after making weight, she said she struggled to fully replenish before competing.
“I cut weight from 152.4 down to my official weigh in of 131.34lbs (59.7KG),” Bowles wrote. “I wasn’t able to get all my weight back even after consuming nearly 2000 carbs.”
Despite the demanding cut, Bowles successfully completed eight of her nine attempts.
Her only miss came on her final squat, and it temporarily put her pursuit of the world record in jeopardy.
Squat
Bowles opened her competition with 205 kilograms (451.9 pounds) and followed it with a successful 215-kilogram (474-pound) second attempt.
The latter represented a massive 50-pound personal best.
Bowles then loaded 222.5 kilograms (490.5 pounds) for her third attempt but was unable to complete the lift.
Her squat results were:
- 205 kilograms (451.9 pounds)
- 215 kilograms (474 pounds)
- 222.5 kilograms (490.5 pounds) — Unsuccessful
With one lift left on the table, Bowles would have little room for error during the remainder of the competition.
Bench Press
Bowles responded with a perfect showing on the bench press.
She successfully completed all three attempts, beginning at 127.5 kilograms (281 pounds) before moving to 132.5 kilograms (292.1 pounds).
On her final attempt, Bowles pressed 137.5 kilograms (303.1 pounds) to keep the all-time record within reach.
Her bench press results were:
- 127.5 kilograms (281 pounds)
- 132.5 kilograms (292.1 pounds)
- 137.5 kilograms (303.1 pounds)
That set up a dramatic finish on the deadlift platform.
Final Deadlift Gives Bowles The All-Time World Record
Bowles opened the deadlift with 205 kilograms (451.9 pounds) before successfully pulling 220 kilograms (485 pounds) on her second attempt.
One lift remained.
With Gasparyan’s seven-year-old record standing at 580 kilograms, Bowles called for 228.5 kilograms (503.8 pounds).
She needed the lift to make history.
Bowles locked it out successfully, bringing her total to 581 kilograms (1,280.9 pounds) and surpassing Gasparyan’s record by exactly one kilogram.
Her deadlift results were:
- 205 kilograms (451.9 pounds)
- 220 kilograms (485 pounds)
- 228.5 kilograms (503.8 pounds)
Total: 581 kilograms (1,280.9 pounds) — U60KG Raw Total All-Time World Record
The final deadlift also meant Bowles finished the meet having successfully completed eight of nine attempts.
Brittany Bowles Earns $5,000 Best Lifter Prize
The world record wasn’t Bowles’ only accomplishment in Richmond.
Her overall performance earned her the title of Best Lifter in the women’s division, which came with a $5,000 prize.
Bowles has competed in powerlifting since 2015 and has now made 16 appearances in sanctioned competition, accumulating 14 victories along the way.
But her performance at the American Pro represents a new high point.
Breaking any world record is significant. Taking down a record belonging to Marianna Gasparyan carries additional weight considering Gasparyan’s place among the greatest pound-for-pound powerlifters in the history of the sport.
Bowles also did it in Rocky-movie fashion. After missing her final squat and questioning whether the record was still possible, she went six-for-six across the bench press and deadlift before pulling more than 500 pounds when she needed it most.
The result was a 1,280.9-pound total at a bodyweight of less than 132 pounds, a new all-time standard for the U60KG division.
Featured image embed via Instagram @the_american_pro
