Last updated on April 4th, 2024

Prior to the commencement of the 2024 IWF World Cup in Phuket, Thailand, rumors swirled about the gravity of the event. Lead event commentator Seb Ostrowicz called this year’s Cup “the biggest weightlifting meet of the last few years,” citing it as the final qualification opportunity for any Paris hopeful.

On Apr. 4, 2024, Ostrowicz’s prophecy came to pass. In a historic upset, Indonesian weightlifter and Junior world record holder Rizki Juniansyah set a new world record in the Total of 365 kilograms — dislodging teammate and 18-month leader Rahmat Erwin Abdullah at the last second.

[Related: The Best Weightlifting Belts You Can Buy]

It’s impossible to overstate the enormity of Juniansyah’s achievement in Phuket. Having only returned to the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) stage in late 2023 after undergoing appendix surgery, Juniansyah was considered a long shot pick for the gold medal in Phuket.

But when the dust had settled, he had beaten both teammate (and clean & jerk world record holder) Abdullah as well as two-time Olympic Champion Shi Zhiyong.

Rizki Juniansyah | 2024 IWF World Cup

How It Happened

Since the IWF unveiled the Paris-recognized bodyweight divisions for the 2024 Olympics, the Men’s 73-kilogram middleweight category has been a hotbed of world-class performers.

For the better part of the 18-month Paris qualification period, no athlete could contend Abdullah, who repeatedly widened his lead over every other athlete in the class, setting multiple world records in the 73 and 81-kilogram divisions.

Teammate Juniansyah underwent surgery towards the end of 2023. Prior to this year’s Cup, his best Total was 353KG — 10 full kilograms behind Abdullah.

But when push came to shove in Phuket, Juniansyah pulled it off against both his countryman and one of China’s most dominant weightlifters ever:

2024 IWF World Cup | Men’s 73-Kilogram

• Rizki Juniansyah (INA): 365 (164/201)
• Shi Zhiyong (CHN): 356 (165/191)
• Rahmat Erwin Abdullah (INA): 355 (160/195)

Editor’s Note: The notation above reads as “[Total] [(Snatch/Clean & Jerk)]”

Speculation was rife in Phuket about the efforts of Zhiyong, who took a long hiatus from the sport after his win in the same category at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021. After placing first in the snatch, it looked like Zhiyong was back in top form.

But come the clean & jerks, the now-former world record holder in the Total couldn’t muster the strength he needed to claim the number-one slot in the 73-kilogram category. However, Zhiyong now sits in third place. Pending the outcome of the heavier divisions in Phuket, Zhiyong may receive an invitation to Paris.

Context: Each country may only send one athlete per weight class to the Paris Olympics, and only six athletes in total (three men and three women). Dominant countries like China must evaluate which of their team members performs best in their respective weight divisions.

Zhiyong, now third in the 73-kilogram class, will await to see what occurs in the 89 and 102-kilogram divisions at the Cup.

As the competition concluded, Abdullah was forced to attempt 206 kilograms — a new world record — in order to reclaim the top slot from Juniansyah. He failed it on his second attempt, sat down on the platform for less than a minute, and tried again with 90 seconds of allotted rest time to spare. He was unsuccessful.

Abdullah spent almost two years in the driver’s seat. When he and Juniansyah last met at the 2024 Asian Championships, Abdullah came out 10 kilograms ahead. At the final stop before the Paris Olympics, Juniansyah returned the favor, in one of the most stunning upsets in modern weightlifting history.

[Related: Why Weightlifting Sucks to Watch in 2024]

More From the IWF World Cup

Featured Image: Jessie Johnson / @barbellstories

Three Olympia champions are putting on an Olympia qualifier.

Last updated on April 4th, 2024

The 2024 Triple O Dynasty Pro show is scheduled for Saturday, April 6, 2024, in Mesa, AZ. Three Olympia champions are promoting this Olympia-qualifying event: four-time Ms. Olympia Andrea Shaw, three-time Fitness Olympia winner Whitney Jones, and seven-time Figure Olympia champion Cydney Gillon.

This all-women show features three IFBB Pro League divisions: Women’s Bodybuilding, Women’s Physique, and Figure. This contest is the opening event of the 2024 IFBB Pro League schedule for all three divisions.

2024 Triple O Dynasty Pro Rosters

The lineups for each division featured in Mesa are below, courtesy of the IFBB Pro League website:

Women’s Bodybuilding

• Lena Batka (United States)
• Michelle Bogden (United States)
• Theresa Ivancik (United States)
• Martina Lopez (Spain)
• Gabriela Pena De La Vega (United States)
• Julie Schultz (United States)
• Julia Whitesel (United States)

Women’s Physique

• Alejandra Chacon Velazquez (Spain)
• Tricia Downing (United States)
• Bridget Gladmon (United States)
• Ann Gruber (United States)

Figure

• Reem Albareeq (United Kingdom)
• Rose Black (Australia)
• Christine Cave (United States)
• Sherlyn Cree (Indonesia)
• Wendy Fortino (United States)
• Rebecca Godwin (United States)
• Shelly Johnson (United States)
• Sierra Jones (United States)
• Stephanie Koerber (United States)
• Sandee Lark (United States)
• Ashley Martinez (United States)
• Monique Mealey (United States)
• Lakeisha Roulhac (United States)
• Mary Sanderman (United States)
• Lisa Saygun (Australia)
• Chikjioke Soribe (United States)
• Maggie Watson (Canada)
• Aksana Yukhno (United States)

[Related:2024 1 Bro Pro Bodybuilding Show Preview]

[Related: 2024 Taiwan Pro Bikini Division Show Preview]

Women’s Bodybuilding Athletes to Watch

Below are three contenders likely to jockey for the top of the podium in Women’s Bodybuilding:

Theresa Ivancik

The Women’s Bodybuilding show will feature seven athletes, one of whom is Theresa Ivancik. Ivancik has finished as high as seventh on the Olympia stage. This will be her first show of 2024.

Ivancik has hinted on social media that she may move beyond bodybuilding for her future. She said on Instagram that she will compete at the 2024 Olympia if she qualifies via a win in Mesa. Her most recent contest was the 2023 Tampa Pro, where she ranked third overall.

Martina Lopez

Marina Lopez will make her IFBB Pro League debut in Mesa. She earned her pro status at the 2023 NPC Amateur Olympia in Orlando, FL, where she won the Overall title. Lopez had three years of amateur experience before transitioning to the pro ranks.

Julia Whitesel 

Julia Whitesel ranked tenth at the 2023 Ms. Olympia, won by Shaw (her fourth Olympia title). Whitesel won the 2023 Toronto Pro Supershow — the only win of her pro career thus far. 

More Bodybuilding Content

Featured Image: @ifbbproleague_tripleodynasty_ on Instagram 

London, England, will host Classic Physique and Bikini division shows.

Last updated on April 4th, 2024

Six Classic Physique athletes and 14 Bikini division competitors will grace the stage at the 2024 1 Bro Pro Show in London, England, on Saturday, April 6, 2024. The Classic Physique show is a new division for this event.

The 2023 edition of this contest featured Bikini and Men’s Physique contests, won by Eszter Oczella and Mauro Fialho Garcia Jr., respectively. The winners of the 2024 contests will earn qualifications to compete in the 2024 Olympia in Las Vegas, NV, on Oct. 10-13, 2024. If the winner is already qualified, no qualification will be awarded.

2024 1 Bro Pro Rosters

The rosters for both divisions were shared on the IFBB Pro League website and are listed below in alphabetical order:

Classic Physique

• Luigi Maria de Roberts (Italy)
• Daniel Dudley (Panama)
• Joshua Eastham (United Kingdom)
• Dilans Kurepins (Latvia)
• Craig Morton (United Kingdom)
• Emanuele Ricotti (Italy)

Bikini

• Lucy Edwards (United Kingdom)
• Charlotte Ellis (United Kingdom)
• Martina Fainozzi (Italy)
• Chantal Hill (Spain)
• Doriana Kandeva (Bulgaria)
• Tatiana Lanovenka (Russia)
• Ottavia Mazza (Italy)
• Lisa Reith (Germany)
• Anna Setlak (Italy)
• Francesca Stoico (Italy)
• Kirsty Taylor (United Kingdom)
• Allison Testu (France)
• Petra Voldanova (United Kingdom)
• Laura Zakharias (Hungary)

[Related:2024 Taiwan Pro Bikini Division Show Preview]

[Related:Interview: Hunter Henderson Wants to Set 2 Powerlifting World Records and Qualify for the Olympia in 2024]

Bikini Division Athletes to Watch

Below are three of the Bikini competitors likely to contend for the podium:

Chantal Hill

Chantal Hill earned her pro card at the 2023 NPC Worldwide Amateur Olympia Portugal contest. She jumped into the pro ranks by competing three times with three consecutive podium finishes. Her most recent showing was a third-place finish at the 2023 Italian Olympus Pro. The 1 Bro Pro Show will be her 2024 season debut.

Tatiana Lanovenko

Tatiana Lanovenko was a part of the 2023 Bikini Olympia in Orlando, FL, finishing outside the top 15. She won the 2023 Mr. Big Evolution Pro show to earn that 2023 Olympia qualification.

Lanovenko ranked eighth at the 2024 Bikini International UK event in Birmingham, England, won by Vania Auguste during the 2024 Arnold Classic UK weekend. 

Ottavia Mazza

Ottavia Mazza has been on two big stages thus far in the 2024 season. She ranked eighth in the 2024 Bikini International event in Columbus, OH, followed by an 11th-place finish at the Bikini International UK.

Mazza seeks her third consecutive Olympia qualification in 2024. She had some success in London as recently as 2023, when she won the T.R.U. Athlete Pro competition.

Featured image: @chantalhill_ifbbpro on Instagram

It’s hard enough to dominate one strength sport, let alone two, yet Hunter Henderson has solidified herself as an elite powerlifter and bodybuilder. The current all-time world record holder in the raw squat (267.5 kilograms at 82.5KG) also won her IFBB Pro League Women’s Bodybuilding Pro card in 2021.

And she’s calling her shot for 2024: Two new powerlifting world records and qualification to the Olympia — bodybuilding’s Super Bowl — before the year ends.

Henderson caught up with BarBend to discuss her upcoming performance at the World Raw Powerlifting Federation (WRPF) Ghost Clash 3 in Miami, FL, on April 6-7, followed by her plans to step on the Olympia stage.

Editor’s Note: The following interview has been lightly edited for readability.

BarBend: In early March, you were at the 2024 Arnold Sports Festival in Columbus, OH, to lift in the Animal Cage. How was that experience?

Hunter Henderson: That experience meant so much to me. I got to squat in the Cage with wraps. I took 650 pounds and did an AMRAP (as many reps as possible); I got three reps.

That was sentimental because the last time the Cage was up was in 2019 and I was on the outside watching. I was getting into powerlifting, and no one knew who I was. I watched them in the Cage and told myself that one day I would be the best in the world and lift in it.

So, that was a full circle moment, and other women were coming to me to share their stories. I met older women getting into the sport, and a little girl was sitting by the monolift. That moment was so important to me.

[Related: Power Cage Vs. Monolift Vs. Combo Rack Differences]

BarBend: You’re set to compete in the WRPF Ghost Clash 3 on April 6-7 in Miami, FL. You relocated to Las Vegas, NV and have been there for this prep. How has it been different for you to prepare in that environment?

HH: Yes, I moved from Kansas City, MO, across the country to Las Vegas. It has been life-changing. The training has been so good, and we’ve been doing well.

BarBend: Who is “we?”

HH: “We” is my coach, Jake Benson, and my training partners are Joe Sullivan and Brianny Terry. They are also my best friends.

I have never trained around another woman at my level. Every day is a competition with Brianny; we push and want the best for each other. Brianny is a special person to me. She is my greatest friend. Even when she’s hitting big lifts in training, she’s texting me about my goals. Her ability to give and support others is special.

BarBend: What has been the biggest change in your training?

HH: I trained slower in Kansas City, and Brianny trains very fast, whereas I went at my own pace. Now that I am training with her, we are moving.

We’re in and out of that gym. Having Joe there hands-on to teach me has been a huge opportunity. I’m thankful for it. Also, the fitness community in Las Vegas is bigger and more established, which also pushed me to be better.

BarBend: What are your goals for the 2024 WRPF Ghost Clash 3?

HH: Yes, I am competing in wraps in the 82.5-kilogram (181-pound) class, and the current number one squat in wraps for a female is 705 (pounds). That has been a long-standing goal of mine. I think I can either match it or beat it by a little bit. That is goal number one.

The current bench press record for my weight class is 381 (pounds), and I just benched 369 at the 2023 WRPF American Pro 2. My goal is to get as close as possible to that. The deadlift is not my best lift, so my goal is to PR; my best in competition is 573 pounds.

BarBend: You’ve been setting or in the running to break world records every time you’ve competed in recent years. What is training like at your level to be in that position?

HH: I train five days a week, including a squat day with extra bench and a deadlift day with bench. On the other three days, I don’t touch a barbell. Those are accessory or bodybuilding days with machines and super fun workouts.

We also have what we call a “creatine” day with active recovery movements like box jumps, medicine ball slams; explosive and athletic-type movements.

[Related: The 12 Best Barbells We’ve Personally Tested]

BarBend: Is it better to claim someone else’s record or break your own?

HH: That is tough because I think they are both so monumental. I believe taking a record back from someone, or if it stood for a long time, would mean a little more.

BarBend: In 2021, you turned pro in the IFBB Pro League and then nearly qualified for the Olympia by placing second at the Tampa Pro. What are your plans this year?

HH: I haven’t shared this anywhere on my social media yet: I am going to go back to bodybuilding and compete in the 2024 Chicago Pro (July 18-20) in the Women’s Bodybuilding division. I am currently 15 weeks out from that show and excited to get back on stage. I am making my run and want to qualify for the 2024 Olympia.

[Podcast: Putting the Powerlifting World on Notice (w/Hunter Henderson)]

BarBend: How do you feel bodybuilding training has helped you in powerlifting and vice versa?

HH: The intention behind the movements has helped. I don’t half-ass them, but I take each of them seriously now. I think that has made a difference in all of my training.

BarBend: You’ve also competed in strongwoman competition, winning your debut at the KC Strong Fifth Annual Veteran’s Day Challenge in 2023. How do you adapt and succeed to the different sports so quickly?

HH: I started powerlifting and bodybuilding because I thought I could excel at them. So, I guess I have this faith in myself to go for things. That’s just who I am as a person.

[Read More: Hunter Henderson Wins Her First Strongwoman Contest]

BarBend: Fans who follow you on social media have shared how you inspire them. People could read this with big aspirations to succeed in powerlifting, bodybuilding, or other strength sports. What advice would you offer them?

HH: Enjoy the process and take your time. You have to understand the long game. It won’t happen overnight. The most important part is to have fun. Enjoy the training sessions, too. If you’re not having fun with this, what’s the point?

That’s All, Folks

You can follow Henderson on Instagram @huntermhenderson. Stay tuned to BarBend for updates and recaps of the 2024 WRPF Ghost Clash 3, as it seems many elite athletes will call for world-record weights on the barbell.

Editor’s note: BarBend is the Official Media Partner of the WRPF. The two organizations maintain editorial independence unless otherwise noted on specific content projects.

Featured Image by Adam Rivera and Hunter Henderson.

Ju exceeded a world record weight that had stood for five full years.

Last updated on April 4th, 2024

Records continue to fall left, right, and center at this year’s IWF World Cup. The 2024 Cup, which runs from Mar. 31 to Apr. 11 in Phuket, Thailand, is the last stop on the 18-month journey to the 2024 Olympics in Paris this summer.

North Korean weightlifter Ri Won Ju capped off the Men’s 67-kilogram event in spectacular fashion when he set a new world record in the clean & jerk; 189 kilograms, or 416.6 pounds.

[Related: The Best Weightlifting Belts on the Market]

Ju faced stiff competition in the snatch portion from Italy’s Sergio Massidda, who typically competes in the Men’s 61 kilogram. Massidda placed first in the snatches with 145 kilograms, but couldn’t contend with Ju’s strength during the clean & jerks.

Ri Won Ju | 2024 IWF World Cup

Prior to the Cup, the clean & jerk world record was already in the hands of North Korea. Pak Jong-Ju hit 188 back in 2019 and stood uncontested for the last five years.

[Related: Why Can’t North Korea Compete in Weightlifting at the 2024 Olympics?]

North Korea Returns in Force

The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK or PRK) returned to the international weightlifting circuit in the back half of 2023 after a five-year hiatus from the sport. Since their comeback, PRK athletes have claimed more world records in less than a year’s time than any other nation by a large margin.

However, the People’s Republic is ineligible to compete in weightlifting at the Paris Olympics this August for failing to appear at mandatory events earlier in the qualification cycle.

Without having to abide by the qualification structure that binds other nations, PRK have had free reign to pursue world records in non-Olympic weight categories such as the Women’s 64-kilogram or Men’s 67-kilogram, as Ju did. Notably, in the Women’s 45-kilogram featherweight division, PRK athlete Won Hyon-Sim is the only individual to reach world-record weights since the division was created in 2018.

If North Korea makes an appearance at the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles, expect them to be serious gold medal contenders in almost every category.

More Weightlifting News

Featured Image courtesy of Weightlifting House

Hicks is “Officially Amazing!”

Last updated on April 4th, 2024

Strange implements and odd objects are not unusual on a competitive strongman stage. Examples include the World’s Strongest Man (WSM) featuring monster truck parts in a loading medley, the Rogue Strongman Invitational routinely using a rollercoaster frame to haul 600-pound sandbags, and the Arnold Strongman Classic using a 10-foot long deadlift bar (Elephant bar) with a separate set of world records unto itself.

While flipping Fingal’s Fingers or launching kegs into the air are common practices for strongmen, entering the Guinness Book of World Records is a more unique experience. However, that’s exactly what Graham Hicks of the UK did on Feb. 13, 2024, when he stood on the Tower of Power to deadlift a bell for five reps in one minute. Check it out below:

[Related: Mateusz Kieliszkowski Withdraws from 2024 Europe’s Strongest Man Citing Achilles Injury]

The Tower of Power is not an unknown apparatus. It has been a common feature of the Rogue Strongman Invitational for several years. However, lifting a giant tower bell underneath is new, and it scored Hicks his first Guinness World Record in Milan, Italy, on the set of Lo Show Dei Record.

You are officially amazing!

Hicks scored five reps while using lifting straps in a conventional stance. Per the Guinness Book of World Records, Hicks is the first athlete to hold this title, which would be contested for reps in the future.

To attempt a new record, prospective athletes must apply at https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/records/apply-to-set-or-break-a-record. The application process is a simple submission form detailing the desired record the applicant wishes an attempt to break. If accepted, the Guinness Book of World Records will provide next steps.

[Related: Watch Strongman Martins Licis Pull The “Grave Digger” Monster Truck]

While claiming an official world record is a highlight of any athlete’s resume, Hicks is likely still in the hunt for the all-time deadlift world record. He is among the few elite strongmen who have attempted but not yet achieved the colossal 505-kilogram deadlift.

Ivan Makarov and two-time WSM champion Tom Stoltman are also among those who have thrown their names into the hat of world-record-deadlift contenders. The heaviest deadlift ever pulled on camera remains Hafthor Björnsson‘s 501-kilogram deadlift from May 2020.

While Hicks may compete sooner, he is expected to compete in the 2024 USA Strongman Championships in Las Vegas, NV, on Sept. 28, 2024. That competition will feature the 2024 World Deadlift Championships.

[Read More: 2024 Giants Live Tour Schedule]

Featured image: @grahamhicksuk on Instagram

This ultra-heavy dumbbell set is available for pre-order.

Last updated on April 3rd, 2024

How expansive a range can an adjustable dumbbell set go? Of course, the wider the range, the more space can be saved in a home gym, garage gym, or the like. On April 3, 2024, the fitness world received the latest evolution of adjustable dumbbells.

REP Fitness and PÉPIN partnered to release the “FAST Series Adjustable Dumbbell,” which ranges from 10 to a staggering 125 pounds. Check out the promo video below from REP’s YouTube channel:

[Related: The Best Adjustable Dumbbells for Your Home Gym]

The FAST Series Adjustable Dumbbell sets are made of steel with “CNC-cut plates with a black powder coating,” according to REP Fitness’s website, the Colorado-based equipment company founded in 2012.

This new product is part of REP’s Inventor Series, a line of products they manufacture in partnership with various equipment inventors. “The goal is to simultaneously lift up other gym equipment inventors while making their amazing products more accessible to more people,” REP writes on their website. “It’s a win-win-win.”

Colorado-based REP Fitness was founded in 2012 by brothers Ryan and Shane McGrotty. They’re known for producing American-made, high-quality strength equipment, ranging from power racks to barbells, weight plates, and training benches. PÉPIN is based and Canada and is a small shop known only for their FAST series adjustable dumbbells. The fitness reviews site Garage Gym Reviews ranked the FAST dumbbells 4.5 out of 5 stars.

The design is purposefully compact without impacting the above-average weight range. REP also extensively dropped test the steel dumbbells to ensure durability, and the steel cradles ensure you won’t wear out your dumbell holsters over time. Each dumbbell is adjustable in 10-pound increments via magnetic pop-pins. Smaller increment plates weighing 2.5 pounds each are included.

FAST Series Adjustable Dumbbell Features

Per REP Fitness, the Fast Series Adjustable Dumbbell Features include:

• Nickel-plated handles with volcano-style knurling
• Functional side rails with rounded outside edges
• UMHW protective liners to prevent scratches from steel-on-steel contact
• Laser-etched weight markings
• Flat-bottom heads to prevent rolling on the ground

FAST Series Adjustable Dumbbell Measurements

• Cradle Length — 18.9″
• 85lb Dumbbell Length — 14.5″
• 105lb Dumbbell Length — 16.4″
• 125lb Dumbbell Length — 18.3″
• Cradle Width — 5.3″
• Height (Cradle With Dumbbell) — 7.2″
• Height (Cradle Without Dumbbell) — 4.9″
• Usable Handle Length — 4.9″
• Handle Diameter — 34mm
• Plate Diameter — 7.0″
• Cradle Weight (When Empty) — 10.8 pounds

[Related: The Best Dumbbells for Any Budget or Fitness Goal]

FAST Series Adjustable Dumbbell Pricing

The “FAST Series Adjustable Dumbbell” has three versions currently available for pre-order on their website. The pricing is as follows:

• Up to 85 Pounds — $899.99
• Up to 105 Pounds — $1,099.99
• Up to 125 Pounds — $1,299.99

Lighter dumbbell sets are upgradeable to heavier variations. Orders will ship starting on Sept. 3, 2024. Shipping is free.

Featured image: Courtesy of REP Fitness

Khudayarov is edging closer to his goal of a 1,200-kilogram total.

Last updated on April 4th, 2024

There can no longer be any doubt that Zahir Khudayarov IS BACK. The high-energy powerlifter has been absent from competition for several years but still holds the all-time world record in the 125KG class in squat and total. It seems those records are in peril as Khudayarov winds up for his return to the competitive platform.

Khudayarov’s bench press, in particular, has been flying. His current competition-best bench press is 275 kilograms, set at the 2016 RPS US Open. Unfortunately, Khudayarov had a nightmare on squat and did not make a total that day. He hasn’t approached those numbers since, hitting between 240 and 260 kilograms at subsequent competitions.

However, that looks set to change in the near future. Khudayarov has been hitting the gym hard in the past few months. On April 1, 2024, he shared a video on his Instagram page wherein he pressed a colossal 287.5 kilograms (633 pounds) raw. Check out the lift below:

Khudayarov took a big huff of ammonia salts before settling back onto the bench. He used wrist wraps and a lifting belt to assist the lift and took the barbell a little more narrowly than the maximum permitted grip width. It looked as though his middle fingers were on the rings.

The descent was solid, and Khudayarov paused on the chest. The bar came off his chest well but slowed dramatically towards the top. The lockout was tough and suggested he was close to his limit, but he made it nonetheless.

Per Open Powerlifting, the heaviest all-time raw bench press in the 125KG class is Ted Arcidi‘s 295-kilogram lift at the 1983 USPF Central Maryland Under Class I. However, the second-heaviest all-time bench press is James Strickland‘s bench press of 287.5 kilograms at the 2018 USPA Gulf Coast Open — the same weight as Khudayarov’s training lift.

It’s not just Khudayarov’s bench press that has been progressing well. He put up some impressive squats lately, like the 475-kilogram double that he did just a week or so before, which can be seen below:

Khudayarov stated that his intention is to hit a 500-kilogram squat, a 300-kilogram bench press, and a 400-kilogram deadlift at the same event for a 1,200-kilogram total. Those are lofty ambitions; only three athletes — Vladislav Alhazov, Dan Bell, and Mojtaba Maleki — have squatted 500 kilograms or more in competition, and they are all super heavyweights.

The biggest total ever hit in raw competition is Bell’s 1,182.5 kilograms. If Khudayarov can achieve his aims in the 125KG class, he will gain the mantle of the strongest powerlifter in the world. There is still some distance to go, but Khudayarov is well on his way.

Featured image: @zahirkhudayarov on Instagram

This is one of three Bikini division contests on the same weekend.

Last updated on April 4th, 2024

The 2024 Taiwan Pro (TW Pro) is slated for April 4-5, 2024, in Kaohsiung, Taiwan. Promoter John Chen will host six IFBB Pro League Bikini division athletes as they compete for qualification to the 2024 Olympia in Las Vegas, NV, on Oct. 10-13, 2024. 

2024 Taiwan Pro Roster

The roster for the show is below, with names in alphabetical order.

• Bridget Bailey (Australia)
• Sara Choi (South Korea)
• Chieh Chu (Taiwan)
• Charlotte Ellis (United Kingdom)
• Yume Kurokawa (Japan)
• Wendy Tsai (Taiwan)

[Related: 7-Time Figure Olympia Champion Cydney Gillon Shows How To Build a Leg Day Program]

[Related:2024 Will Be Breon Ansley’s Final Year In Classic Physique]

Bridget Bailey

Bridget Bailey is going into her sixth year as a pro. She competed four times in 2023. Her best finish was sixth at the Shawn Ray Hawaiian Classic.

Bailey is coming off a 13th-place finish at the 2024 San Diego Pro, won by Aimee Leann Delgado one week prior. Bailey seeks her first Bikini Olympia qualification.

Sara Choi

This contest is South Korea’s Sara Choi’s 2024 season debut. She competed four times in 2023, finishing second on three different occasions.

Choi aims to qualify for the Olympia for the third time in her career. She placed 15th in 2020 and tied for 16th in 2021. She will also be trying to win for the first time since taking the title at the 2021 Asia Grand Prix Bikini Pro event.

Wendy Tsai

Wendy Tsai will represent the host country in this show. She will be one of two competitors representing Taiwan; the other is Chieh Chu.

Tsai is coming off a seventh-place finish at the 2024 Musclecontest Japan Pro, won by Nattaya Kongthun. Tsai is in her second year as a pro, targeting her first pro win and Olympia qualification.

Other Notes

This is one of three pro-Bikini shows taking place on the same weekend. The 2024 1 Bro Pro show will feature Bikini division action in London, Englan. The Bikini division is one of five divisions featured at the 2024 Charlotte Pro in Charlotte, NC. The winners of each contest qualify for the 2024 Olympia if not already qualified.

Featured image: @sara_c2_ on Instagram

Hey guys!

ICYMI the Crisscross Hourglass® Bell Bottom is BACK! I wouldn’t wait to snag yours if you’ve been waiting for this restock because they alwayyys sell out! But I also know it’s hard to figure out the perfect size. And with FIVE different inseams to choose from?!

The Try-On Crew is here to help.

We put our super groovy, flattering bell bottoms on 9 different bodies so you can visualize how they might look on you! I’m so excited for you to experience these – They’re SO GOOD.

Let’s try on the Crisscross Hourglass® Bell Bottom!

Our Try-On Crew, a group of women sizes XXS to 3X, is GROOVIN’.

Get ’em before they sell out (again)!!

SHOP BELL BOTTOMS

The reviews are in!

Ahh this is my favorite part – Seeing my design babies on different bodies and hearing what you think!

Measurements:

Size: XS – 29″ inseam
Height: 5′ 1″
Waist: 25″
Hips: 30″

Lindsey’s review! “The bell bottoms are very soft material, flattering, and comfortable.”

Ummm YES they are so flattering. You are SERVING in these, Lindsey!

 

Measurements: 

Size: XL – 34″ inseam
Height: 6′ 0″
Waist: 38″
Hips: 47″

From Liz! “I love the pants! They fit so well and LONG ENOUGH.”

THIS MAKES ME SO HAPPY!

 

Measurements: 

Size: M – 34″ inseam
Height: 5′ 10″
Waist: 29″
Hips: 42″

Anna says, “First thing I have to say is how soft the fabrics are, the bell bottom is so so smooth, I simply love it! I could take it from yoga to a very comfortable 10 hour flight to Brazil!” 

Omg yes these are so good for travel too! Love these on you!

 

SHOP BELL BOTTOMS

Wanna see more try-ons??

Your feedback means so much to me! Let me know what questions you have in the comments!