Up-and-Comers - 9/28/2021
Kai Zhao, Jenn Rotsinger, Kevin Kaufman
Up-and-Comers is a weekly series where I highlight impressive lifts performed by underrated yet talented and hard-working powerlifters who are on their way to making waves in the sport.
Kai Zhao - 360 kg/793 lbs Deadlift
Warcat Strength Gym in Northern California seems to produce a number of monstrous lifters, and Kai is no exception to that rule. Deadlifting nearly 800 pounds this smoothly is an incredible feat at any weight class, but especially at 93 kg. There is no doubt in my mind that he will be a force to be reckoned with, likely even to displace the current USAPL deadlift record in his class in due time.
Jenn Rotsinger - 162.5 kg Squat (442.5 kg total)
Among the phenomenal group of lifters competing at The Showdown was Jenn Rotsinger, who managed to put up a mean 162 kg squat at under 52 kg bodyweight. This is the second highest raw squat in her class ever, second only to her own previous best. In the caption, she described her performance as “not too bad”; if that’s the case, I can only imagine what a better day might look like down the road.
Kevin Kaufman - 325 kg Squat
At only 20 years old, Kevin is seen here hitting a monstrous 700+ pound squat, unscheduled and unpeaked. As far as I can find, Kevin has yet to hit the platform, but regardless of whichever weight class he ultimately lands on, he’s bound to make a splash debuting with a squat like that as a junior.
Know someone you feel deserves to be in this series? Maybe even yourself? Leave a comment or message me on Instagram! I’ll be publishing this series weekly on Tuesdays.