The Bucked Up Showdown 2021 - Wrap Up and Results

The biggest raw-in-sleeves meet in powerlifting marked several records, epic matchups, some surprises, and welcomed returns to the platform for many renowned lifters.

This past weekend, Kansas City played host to what the organizers were calling the biggest untested-raw-sleeved powerlifting meet of the year: The Bucked Up Showdown. Nine world records and a host of monumental performances later, I’d say that characterization was accurate. While some notable names were absent, a gauntlet of many top lifters competed across last weekend, with men competing on Saturday, the 26th, and women on Sunday, the 27th.  Among the highlights were not only the myriad of world records that were broken but also the battles that took place, as well as some triumphant returns to the platform that were a long time in the making.

The Highlights and Battles

John Haack

John Haack (@bilbo_swaggins181) became the lightest person to total over 1000 kg, with 1005.5 kg at 89.5 kg bodyweight, while also securing the bench (263 kg), deadlift (402.5 kg), and total ATWR in his 90 kg weight class. His total would also be above the bench and total record for the 100 kg weight class and the total record for the 110 kg weight class, a number which he was able to cement even while sustaining two strained quads during his third attempt squat.

Joe Sullivan vs Jordan Wong

Joe Sullivan (@joesullivan_aod) and Jordan Wong (@wongstwong) managed to stage an incredible battle for the 100 kg ATWR squat.  Coming into the meet, Joe Sullivan was defending his existing record at 373 kg, but Jordan Wong forced Joe into a corner and put up an impressive 375 kg squat on his third attempt. Joe Sullivan just managed to put up 380 kg on his third.  Jordan attempted to chip Joe’s new record with a 4th attempt at 380.5 kg, but it was to no avail, as he could not stand up with it.  Credit to both these men for putting on an incredible show.

Thomas Davis

Thomas Davis (@tdsmash) managed to fight through some adversity on his second bench to claim the ATWR raw bench ever performed in a full power meet at 352 kg.

Jamal Browner vs Dan Grigsby

Jamal Browner (@jamalb15) and Dan Grigsby (@dan_grigs) both attempted an ATWR deadlift of 455 kg (or over 1000 lbs). Both titans came close but didn’t have it on the day.

Kristy Hawkins

Kristy Hawkins (@kristy_hawkins) put up an ATWR deadlift and total at 75 kg, holding onto an astounding 275 kg 3rd attempt deadlift, despite tearing her bicep on the way up.

Tamara Walcott

Tamara Walcott (@plussize_fitqueen4.0) pulled a ridiculous ATWR deadlift in the open weight class: the heaviest raw deadlift ever pulled by a woman at 288.5 kg.

Carina Davis

Carina Davis (@quadzilla619) benched 180 kg in the open weight class.

Ashley Contorno

Ashley Contorno (@veggie_lifter) attempted an ATWR bench in the 75 kg weight class.

Brianny Terry

Brianny Terry (@briannyt) finally broke into the 600 lbs deadlift club with an impressive 272.5 kg pull at just over 75 kg bodyweight.

Whitney Baxley

Whitney Baxley (@iamwhitbaxley) (who we highlighted here) attempted to break her own 60 kg ATWR deadlift of 235 kg and came incredibly close.

Kiersten Scurlock

Kiersten Scurlock (@scurko_savage) squatted an incredible 262.5 kg in the open weight class.

The Returns to the Platform

Although this may have not been the very first meet back for all of these athletes, their presence on the platform at a major event after recovering from serious setbacks is notable:

Andy Huang

Andy Huang (@that_hugeasian_guy) came back from a groin injury to total 985 kg in the 125 kg weight class. We look forward to seeing him get back over 1000 kg in the near future.

Suzan Salazar

Suzan Salazar (@supers2o) returned from a severe knee injury sustained at the LA Fit Expo in 2018 to win the 60 kg division at the age of 45. It was a true honor to share the platform with her this weekend.

Dawson Windham

Dawson Windham (@dawsonwindham) bounced back from a torn meniscus and surgery to hit a 37.5 kg PR on squats and obliterate the 500 DOTS barrier with a 531.91 DOTS.

Barbara Lee

Barbara Lee (@msbarbellbarbie) came back from a torn ACL, meniscus, and surgery on both with a huge 182.5 kg squat in the 67.5 kg class.  Her name belongs in the dictionary under the word “determination”.

The Final Standings

Men

John Haack – 1005.5 kg at 89.5 kg bodyweight (651.99 DOTS)

Chad Penson (@kingpensonlifts) – 925 kg at 90 kg bodyweight (598.11 DOTS)

Jamal Browner – 1000 kg at 107.8 kg bodyweight (596.86 DOTS)

Zac Meyers (@thehulkmeyers) – 1035 kg at 124.3 kg bodyweight (587.64 DOTS)

Blake Lehew (@blake_75kg) – 860 kg at 82.5 kg bodyweight (583.76 DOTS)

Women

Kristy Hawkins  – 685 kg at 74 kg bodyweight (671.95 DOTS)

Brianny Terry – 620 kg at 75.8 kg bodyweight (600.51 DOTS)

Ashley Contorno – 605 kg at 74.5 kg bodyweight (590.93 DOTS)

Kiersten Scurlock – 677.5 kg at 105.5 kg bodyweight (566.66 DOTS)

Terri Ashley (@terriboo621) – 595 kg at 79.5 kg bodyweight (562.40 DOTS)