Bobb Matthews - Image via @kingofthelifts Instagram
On Saturday, December 10th, 2022, one of the biggest USA Powerlifting (USAPL) competitions of the year took place. A one-day powerlifting contest, the 2022 USAPL Virginia Pro took place in Ashburn, VA, bringing together only the best athletes in the country. Bobb Matthews ended up coming victorious in both his weight class and overall divisions. That earned him a prize of $5,000.
Competing in the 105-kilogram weight class, Matthews faced tough competition from Ashton Rouska, a seasoned powerlifter who had won numerous titles in the past. The two men went head to head in a series of grueling lifts, each pushing themselves to the brink of exhaustion. In the end, it was Matthews who emerged victorious, scoring a DOTS score of 582.796, higher than anyone in the USAPL this year.
Bobb Matthews’ Full Performance
This was the heaviest that Bobb Matthews ever entered a sanctioned competition, as his exact bodyweight came out to 101.4 kilograms (223.5 pounds). He did not set new national records, but did score three new competition PRs, as well as equal his squat competition PR.
“The underperformance was crazy. The platform was unexpectedly bouncy and I wasn’t ready for that. Was expecting 350-355 kilos. At the very least.. Meet PR tied.”
Bench Press
215 kilograms (474 pounds)
227.5 kilograms (501.6 pounds)
232.5 kilograms (512.6 pounds) — Competition PR
“My most satisfying lift ever. Officially a 500lb bencher. From being the first in the flight to bench to the LAST!!!!
I left about 5 kilos in the tank. Bench is lowkey becoming my best lift.”
Deadlift
340 kilograms (749.6 pounds)
362.5 kilograms (799.2 pounds)
380 kilograms (837.8 pounds) — Competition PR
“Deadlifts were effortless. The original plan was 385kg for the deadlift WR, AND total WR.. but 380kg was all that was needed to secure the win. That was more important.”
Total — 952.5 kilograms (2,099.9 pounds) — Competition PR
This was just the seventh professional powerlifting appearance for Bobb Matthews, who is starting to pick up the pace with two wins in a row. Those are also his only wins, as the other competition apart from this 2022 USAPL Virginia Pro was the 2022 USAPL Mega Nationals.
Bobb Matthews’ Competition History
Personal Bests
Equip
Squat
Bench
Deadlift
Total
Dots
Raw
766.1
512.6
766.1
2099.9
583.36
Competition Results
Place
Fed
Date
Competition
Division
Total
Dots
1
USAPL
2023-03-04
Arnold Pro Series Finals
MR-O
2066.8
583.36
Location
USA-OH
Competition
Arnold Pro Series Finals
Division
MR-O
Age
~25.5
Equipment
Raw
Weight
215.1
Squat
672.4
727.5
766.1
766.1
Bench
485
-512.6
-512.6
485
Deadlift
760.6
815.7
-854.3
815.7
GLP
119.84
1
USAPL
2022-12-10
Virginia Pro
MR-O
2099.9
582.8
Location
USA-VA
Competition
Virginia Pro
Division
MR-O
Age
~24.5
Equipment
Raw
Class
242.5
Weight
223.5
Squat
705.5
-749.6
749.6
749.6
Bench
474
501.6
512.6
512.6
Deadlift
749.6
799.2
837.8
837.8
GLP
119.54
1
USAPL
2022-06-08
Mega Nationals
MR-O
2050.3
577.38
Location
USA-NV
Competition
Mega Nationals
Division
MR-O
Age
~24.5
Equipment
Raw
Class
220.5
Weight
216.2
Squat
683.4
722
749.6
749.6
Bench
446.4
463
474
474
Deadlift
755.1
-815.7
826.7
826.7
GLP
118.59
3
USAPL
2021-12-04
Virginia Pro
MR-O
2011.7
562.51
Location
USA-VA
Competition
Virginia Pro
Division
MR-O
Age
~23.5
Equipment
Raw
Weight
219.7
Squat
650.4
694.5
727.5
727.5
Bench
-435.4
457.5
468.5
468.5
Deadlift
749.6
799.2
815.7
815.7
GLP
115.47
7
USAPL
2021-06-14
Raw Nationals
MR-O
1829.8
530.44
Location
USA-FL
Competition
Raw Nationals
Division
MR-O
Age
~23.5
Equipment
Raw
Class
205
Weight
203.2
Squat
655.9
-672.4
672.4
672.4
Bench
391.3
413.4
424.4
424.4
Deadlift
733
-771.6
-793.7
733
GLP
109.07
7
USAPL
2019-10-16
Raw Nationals
MR-O
1791.3
521.31
Location
USA-IL
Competition
Raw Nationals
Division
MR-O
Age
~21.5
Equipment
Raw
Class
205
Weight
201.5
Squat
639.3
661.4
666.9
666.9
Bench
352.7
374.8
-385.8
374.8
Deadlift
672.4
716.5
749.6
749.6
GLP
107.19
2
USAPL
2019-10-16
Raw Nationals
MR-Jr
1791.3
521.31
Location
USA-IL
Competition
Raw Nationals
Division
MR-Jr
Age
~21.5
Equipment
Raw
Class
205
Weight
201.5
Squat
639.3
661.4
666.9
666.9
Bench
352.7
374.8
-385.8
374.8
Deadlift
672.4
716.5
749.6
749.6
GLP
107.19
2
USAPL
2019-07-13
Liberty Games
MR-O
1664.5
489.56
Location
USA-NY
Competition
Liberty Games
Division
MR-O
Age
~21.5
Equipment
Raw
Class
205
Weight
197.3
Squat
573.2
600.8
622.8
622.8
Bench
-363.8
-380.3
380.3
380.3
Deadlift
617.3
661.4
-700
661.4
GLP
100.65
Data Source: Open Powerlifting. Last Updated: August 17, 2023
Bobb Matthews wanted to attempt to set a new deadlift World Record, but he decide to lift exactly as much as he needed to win, rather then going for a heavier pull and putting everything at risk. However, Matthews still has a long and bright future ahead of him, so he will have many opportunities to claim that desired deadlift World Record.
Vedad is a lifelong fitness enthusiast, who is especially passionate about all things Strength related. Vedad loves to write about strength sports just as much as he likes to train. Worked hard to gain his knowledge, but is still in a constant chase for improvement.
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