Derek Thistlethwaite - Image via @deathgrip.derek
Instagram
A number of athletes stand out because of their distinctive features that make them more recognizable and entertaining. In the case of Derek Thistlethwaite, his unique physique, long hair, and magnificent mustache are his trademarks. In addition to being a very powerful man, Derek is also an elite powerlifter, which he proved at the 2022 WRPF American Pro. Derek put on an amazing show and won the raw 110-kilogram weight class. Apart from emerging victorious, Derek also claimed an All-Time Raw World Record.
Derek Thistlethwaite put up his greatest performance yet at the 2022 WRPF American Pro and improved all of his competition PRs. He first squatted 372.5 kilograms (821.2 pounds) quite comfortably and followed it up with a massive 220-kilogram (485-pound) bench press. To wrap his competition up, Derek deadlifted 410 kilograms (903.9 pounds). So, his total came out to 1,102.5 kilograms (2,210.1 pounds), which is a new All-Time World Record in the 110-kilogram weight class. Jamal Browner held the previous record of 1,000 kilograms (2,204.6 pounds), which he set at the 2021 WRPF Hybrid Showdown III.
Derek Thistlethwaite weighed in at 109.4 kilograms (241.2 pounds) for the 2022 WRPF American Pro, which is also the heaviest he has ever been in a competition. He first decided not to attempt a third squat attempt out of a sense of not wasting energy. However, he then failed one bench press attempt and two deadlift attempts. It all turned out great for Derek, but it is evident that he has a lot more room to further improve his Total World Record.
Squat
350 kilograms (771.6 pounds)
372.5 kilograms (821.2 pounds) — New Competition PR
Did not attempt
Bench Press
210 kilograms (462.9 pounds)
220 kilograms (485 pounds) — New Competition PR
Unsuccessful — 225 kilograms (496 pounds)
Deadlift
Unsuccessful — 392.5 kilograms (865.3 pounds)
410 kilograms (903.9 pounds) — New Competition PR
Unsuccessful — 430 kilograms (948 pounds)
Total — 1,002.5 kilograms (2,210.1 pounds) — U110KG All-Time World Record
Derek Thistlethwaite’s first powerlifting competition came in 2016, where he finished in fourth place. He then took a break until 2020, which saw him come back almost 30 kilograms (66 pounds) heavier and much stronger. Two years after returning to the sport, Derek has won all six sanctioned competitions he has entered.
Derek Thistlethwaite’s Competition History
Personal Bests
Equip
Squat
Bench
Deadlift
Total
Dots
Raw
848.8
501.6
848.8
2237.7
604.3
Wraps
903.9
485
903.9
2292.8
618.09
Single-ply
395
205
395
1005
317.1
Competition Results
Place
Fed
Date
Competition
Division
Total
Dots
1
USA-UA
2023-04-08
Pioneer on the Beach
Open
2237.7
604.3
Location
USA-TX
Competition
Pioneer on the Beach
Division
Open
Age
23
Equipment
Raw
Class
242.5
Weight
239.2
Squat
788.2
848.8
848.8
Bench
474
501.6
501.6
Deadlift
887.4
-937
887.4
GLP
123.43
1
WRPF
2022-07-29
American Pro
Open
2210.1
594.98
Location
USA-VA
Competition
American Pro
Division
Open
Age
22
Equipment
Raw
Class
242.5
Weight
241.2
Squat
771.6
821.2
821.2
Bench
463
485
-496
485
Deadlift
-865.3
903.9
-948
903.9
GLP
121.45
1
USPA
2021-12-11
Depth Before Dishonor Open III
Open
2292.8
618.09
Location
USA-OK
Competition
Depth Before Dishonor Open III
Division
Open
Age
22
Equipment
Wraps
Class
242.5
Weight
240.3
Squat
-854.3
903.9
903.9
Bench
463
485
-501.6
485
Deadlift
837.8
903.9
-925.9
903.9
1
USPA
2021-06-03
National Championships
Open
2232.2
602.38
Location
USA-TX
Competition
National Championships
Division
Open
Age
21
Equipment
Wraps
Class
242.5
Weight
239.6
Squat
-837.8
-881.8
881.8
881.8
Bench
451.9
474
474
Deadlift
815.7
859.8
876.3
876.3
1
USPA
2020-12-19
Depth Before Dishonor Open II
Open
2138.5
580.85
Location
USA-OK
Competition
Depth Before Dishonor Open II
Division
Open
Age
21
Equipment
Wraps
Class
242.5
Weight
235.7
Squat
793.7
832.2
854.3
854.3
Bench
435.4
463
-474
463
Deadlift
821.2
-854.3
-854.3
821.2
1
USPA
2020-06-06
Big Tex Open
Juniors 20-23
1851.9
506.02
Location
USA-TX
Competition
Big Tex Open
Division
Juniors 20-23
Age
20
Equipment
Raw
Class
242.5
Weight
232.1
Squat
639.3
683.4
711
711
Bench
418.9
440.9
-451.9
440.9
Deadlift
700
-733
-733
700
GLP
103.57
1
USPA
2020-06-06
Big Tex Open
Open
1851.9
506.02
Location
USA-TX
Competition
Big Tex Open
Division
Open
Age
20
Equipment
Raw
Class
242.5
Weight
232.1
Squat
639.3
683.4
711
711
Bench
418.9
440.9
-451.9
440.9
Deadlift
700
-733
-733
700
GLP
103.57
4
THSPA
2016-01-16
Sunnyvale Invitational
Boys
1005
317.1
Location
USA-TX
Competition
Sunnyvale Invitational
Division
Boys
Age
16
Equipment
Single-ply
Class
181
Weight
173.8
Squat
395
Bench
205
Deadlift
405
GLP
54.29
Data Source: Open Powerlifting. Last Updated: August 17, 2023
There seems to have been a great rivalry created between Derek Thistlethwaite and Jamal Browner this weekend, but it will probably last for many years. Jamal’s deadlift can overshadow all of his flaws, while Derek is a very solid lifter across all three events. He can still cherish one of the highlights of his career even though Derek’s new record may not last long since both he and Jamal will likely improve.
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.