The 2022 RPC Elite Raw took place on May 14, in Pretoria, South Africa, and Nicolaas du Preez put up a stellar performance despite encountering a major setback. Nicolaas won the Men’s Open division after totaling 1037.5 kilograms (2,287.3 pounds). His official outing on the powerlifting platform was highly anticipated, but Nicolaas was not able to get the results of which he was capable, having suffered an injury at the first event. Nicolaas competed in the Raw W/Wraps division and the 125-kilogram weight class.
Nicolaas du Preez started the competition with a staggering 430-kilogram (948-pound) squat. Unfortunately, this is where he tore one of the muscles in his quadriceps, which majorly affected him later in the competition.
Nicolaas du Preez continued the competition with a 237.5-kilogram (523.6-pound) bench press. He was able to press 245 kilograms (540 pounds), but it was not deemed as a false lift, as Nicolaas lifted his buttocks off the bench.
Nicolaas du Preez was in a great position coming into the deadlifts, as his training footage from the past weeks proved that it was one of his greatest events. However, his injury prevented him from lifting as much, and he ended up with a 370-kilogram (815.7-pound) deadlift.
You can watch his lifts here:
“Squat – 430kg. 3rd attempt – I also tore my vastus medialis / teardrop muscle. It didn’t hit me until deadlifts started.”
“I know 400+ is there at the next comp. I do need to invest more time on keeping my hands tough. Ended with a new comp total PR by 7.5kg @ 1037.5kg. Weighed in at 124.6kg. Happy about the total even if it was just off a deadlift opener.”
Related: Nicolaas du Preez Squats A Massive 420-kg (926-lb) Ahead Of A Powerlifting Meet
Ultimately, it seems like Nicolaas du Preez has done everything right leading up to this competition. So it is very unfortunate that the injury struck him at the start. While watching his lifts from this contest, it is very clear that he is capable of doing much more.
The 2022 RPC Elite Raw was Nicolaas du Preez’s seventh sanctioned competition, since starting powerlifting in 2018. Nicolaas has won all seven competitions in which he has participated. He also claimed two new competition PRs in the 2022 RPC Elite Raw, so all of his hard work has paid off.
Nicolaas du Preez’s Competition PRs
- Squat (wraps): 430 kilograms (948 pounds) — (2022 RPC Elite Raw)
- Bench Press (raw): 245 kilograms (540.1 pounds) — (2021 WPC-SA Power Wars)
- Deadlift (raw): 385 kilograms (848.7 pounds) — (2019 WPC-SA Power Wars)
- Total (raw w/wraps): 1037.5 kilograms (2,287.3 pounds) — (2022 RPC Elite Raw)
Related: Powerlifter Nicolaas du Preez Crushes A 909 lbs (412.5 kg) Squat (W/Wraps) For A New Two Rep PR
Apart from the incredible achievement of winning the show and lifting some massive weight, Nicolaas du Preez has shown his amazing character and determination. He pushed through an injury and won the show, so the future is looking very bright for him.
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