Joshua Ngoka Broke the U120KG Junior Squat and Total World Records On His Way to the 2026 IPF World Junior Title.
Great Britain powerlifter Joshua Ngoka turned in a dominant performance at the 2026 IPF World Sub-Junior & Junior Classic Powerlifting Championships, walking away with a world title and two new IPF Junior World Records.
The 21-year-old competed in the U120KG division during the championships in Sun City, South Africa, which ran from Aug. 18-29. He finished the competition with a massive 822.3-pound raw squat before eventually totaling 2,161.6 pounds, setting Junior World Records in both categories.
Even more impressive, Ngoka went a perfect 9-for-9, successfully completing every squat, bench press, and deadlift attempt he took during the competition.
Joshua Ngoka Sets 822-Pound Raw Squat World Record
Ngoka weighed in at 263.7 pounds before beginning his record-setting performance.
He opened the squat with 766.1 pounds and made quick work of the weight. Ngoka then made a significant jump to 804.7 pounds for his second attempt, successfully completing the lift and putting himself in position to attack his own world record.
For his final attempt, Ngoka loaded 822.3 pounds onto the bar.
Ngoka controlled the weight through the descent, reached the required depth and powered his way back to lockout to secure the successful lift and a new U120KG IPF Junior World Record.
The record actually improved upon Ngoka’s own previous mark. He squatted 821.2 pounds at the 2026 IPF World Classic Powerlifting Championships earlier this year.
Since Ngoka competed raw, his equipment was limited to items permitted under the federation’s classic rules rather than supportive squat suits.
Joshua Ngoka’s Full 2026 IPF World Junior Championships Performance
Ngoka didn’t slow down after his record-breaking squat. He completed all nine attempts and finished the competition with a 2,161.6-pound total.
Squat
- 766.1 pounds
- 804.7 pounds
- 822.3 pounds, IPF Junior World Record
Bench Press
- 451.9 pounds
- 474 pounds
- 485 pounds
Deadlift
- 749.6 pounds
- 821.2 pounds
- 854.3 pounds
Total: 2,161.6 pounds, IPF Junior World Record
Ngoka’s final deadlift of 854.3 pounds pushed his total to 2,161.6 pounds and gave him his second record of the competition.
The previous U120KG Junior total record belonged to Nonso Chinye at 2,127.5 pounds, set during the 2025 EPF European Open Classic Powerlifting Championships. Ngoka surpassed that mark by more than 34 pounds.
The performance was enough to secure first place in the U120KG division and add an IPF Junior World Championship to Ngoka’s growing list of accomplishments.
Joshua Ngoka Continues Rapid Rise in Powerlifting
Ngoka has quickly developed into one of Great Britain’s standout young powerlifters.
He entered the Junior World Championships having already competed against the world’s best Open lifters earlier in 2026. At the IPF World Classic Powerlifting Championships in June, Ngoka finished second in the U120KG Open division while setting the previous Junior squat record.
His international résumé also includes runner-up finishes at the 2024 and 2025 IPF World Junior Championships, making his victory in South Africa the culmination of multiple years spent near the top of the division.
Ngoka has been competing in sanctioned powerlifting meets since 2022 and has already accumulated an impressive collection of victories and podium finishes at the British, European and international levels.
His latest outing might be the strongest indication yet of where his career is heading. Ngoka didn’t simply win his first Junior World title. He broke two world records, went 9-for-9 and produced a 2,161-pound total at just under the U120KG weight limit.
After already proving himself capable of competing for medals at the Open World Championships, Ngoka’s record-setting performance in Sun City further establishes him as one of the premier young powerlifters in the sport.
Image embed via Instagram @ngokalifts
