John Laflamme - Image via @johnlaflamme83kg
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Powerlifting has a number of inspirational and motivational athletes, and John LaFlamme is certainly one of them. John is a 71-year-old elite powerlifter who has consistently posted impressive lifts over the past few years. He seems absolutely timeless, as his lifts just keep getting better. John has proved numerous times that age is just a number, but it never gets any less impressive. John Laflamme has now unofficially broken the IPF Masters 4 (age 70+) Squat World Record potentially across two weight classes, as he squatted 427 pounds (193.7 kilograms) in training.
John LaFlamme usually competes in the 83-kilogram weight class, and his recent lift is heavier than the U83 Masters 4 IPF World Record in that division. LaFlamme also holds the official squat World Record of 193 kilograms (425.5 pounds), which he set at the 2021 IPF World Classic Powerlifting Championships.
However, although John LaFlamme will most likely cut down to the 83-kilogram weight class, his current bodyweight is 86.9 kilograms (191.6 pounds). So, this currently places him in the 93-kilogram weight class. This poses no problem for John, as his recent squat is heavier than the U93 Masters 4 IPF World Record in this weight class as well. Buchs Christian holds the U93 Masters 4 IPF Squat Record of 192.5 kilograms (424.4 pounds), which he set at the 2019 EPF European Masters Classic Championships.
John LaFlamme only used a pair of knee sleeves and a lifting belt to aid him in the lift. So, by powerlifting regulations, his squat was raw.
Check out John’s 427-pound (193.7-kilogram) squat here:
John LaFlamme made his powerlifting debut in 1978, at the age of 27. Since then, he has taken part in 48 sanctioned competitions and recorded 28 victories. In addition, John is currently on a six win streak, which will probably not end soon. He won numerous major competitions, but his standout performance was at the 2021 IPF World Classic Powerlifting Championships.
John LaFlamme’s competition PRs:
Squat: 210 kilograms (462.9 pounds) — (2018 USAPL Virginia State Championships)
Bench Press: 112.5 kilograms (248 pounds) — (2018 USAPL Virginia State Championships)
Deadlift: 245 kilograms (540.1 pounds) — (2016 USAPL American Open & Police-Fire Nationals)
Total: 557.5 kilograms (1,229 pounds) — (2018 USAPL Virginia State Championships)
John LaFlamme’s Competition History
Personal Bests
Equip
Squat
Bench
Deadlift
Total
Dots
Raw
463
248
463
1229.1
367.3
Wraps
281.1
181.9
281.1
898.4
294.48
Single-ply
490.5
253.5
490.5
1273.2
403.79
Competition Results
Place
Fed
Date
Competition
Division
Total
Dots
1
AMP
2023-06-02
Classic Junior and Masters Nationals
MR-M4
1160.7
356.4
Location
USA
Competition
Classic Junior and Masters Nationals
Division
MR-M4
Age
72
Equipment
Raw
Class
183
Weight
182.1
Squat
380.3
402.3
420
420
Bench
215
226
232.6
232.6
Deadlift
457.5
485
508.2
508.2
GLP
73.06
1
AMP
2023-03-18
First Annual Brick City Open
MR-M4
1157.4
354.83
Location
USA-FL
Competition
First Annual Brick City Open
Division
MR-M4
Age
72
Equipment
Raw
Class
183
Weight
182.6
Squat
380.3
402.3
418.9
418.9
Bench
209.4
226
237
237
Deadlift
451.9
479.5
501.6
501.6
GLP
72.75
1
IPF
2022-10-08
World Masters Classic & Equipped Powerlifting Championships
Masters 4
1146.4
353.22
Location
Canada-NL
Competition
World Masters Classic & Equipped Powerlifting Championships
Division
Masters 4
Age
71
Equipment
Raw
Class
183
Weight
181
Squat
385.8
402.3
418.9
418.9
Bench
209.4
220.5
231.5
231.5
Deadlift
474
496
-501.6
496
GLP
72.38
1
NAPF
2022-08-15
North American Regional Powerlifting Championships
Masters 4
1175.1
352.26
Location
Panama
Competition
North American Regional Powerlifting Championships
If he continues like this, John Laflamme could become the first powerlifter in IPF’s Masters 4 (age 70+) division to squat 200 kilograms (440.9 pounds). He has made steady progress in recent years and currently appears to be in excellent health. John has not revealed what his next competition will be, or if he plans to move up a weight class. However, judging by his recent training footage, it seems like the weight class plays no factor for John, as he can break records regardless.
Andrew is a professional writer and a workaholic. He studied sports for 4 years and trained soccer for almost 15 years. In addition, for the past three years Andrew has been implementing functional training, with a dream or a plan to enroll in the special forces.