There are moments in strength sport that don’t just turn heads – they redraw the limits entirely. At the 2026 FIBO in Cologne, one of those moments arrived in emphatic fashion, delivered by a 22-year-old lifter who is quickly becoming impossible to ignore.
Elias Engquist stepped onto the platform with purpose, and by the time he walked away, he had etched his name into the record books.
Competing in the Strict Curl event at the ‘German International Barbarian Battle’—a WRPF-sanctioned contest held alongside FIBO Germany—Engquist produced a lift that will be talked about for years. His 114.25-kilogram (251.8-pound) Strict Curl not only secured victory but officially set a brand-new all-time world record.
The setting itself was stacked with talent. The event featured multiple powerlifting divisions, but the Strict Curl class carved out its own spotlight – and Engquist seized it.
Weighing in at a colossal 151.76 kilograms (334.6 pounds), the young lifter brought both size and confidence to the stage. His opening attempt of 106.5 kilograms (234.8 pounds) moved cleanly, almost too easily for a world-class competition. It was the kind of lift that sends a clear message: there’s more to come.
And there was.
For his second attempt, Engquist loaded the bar to 114.25 kilograms – territory that would push him beyond the standing world record. What followed was a test not just of strength, but of control, discipline, and sheer determination.
Strict Curl rules leave no room for shortcuts. Heels planted on the designated line. Back and glutes fixed firmly against the wall. No sway, no momentum – just pure arm strength.
Engquist’s lift began smoothly, the bar rising with confidence through the initial phase. But midway through, the strain became evident. The pace slowed, the effort intensified, and the moment hung in the balance.
That’s where the lift was won.
Digging deep, Engquist refused to let the bar stall. Inch by inch, he continued the ascent, maintaining control under pressure until the curl was completed—securing the record in front of a captivated crowd.
After the lift, he summed up the moment in his own words: “New all time STRICT CURL World record! 114.25 KG with sub par conditions but we made it happen! Couldn’t be happier with the outcome of this prep and thank you to both my coaches and my wife for supporting me through this prep every single day!”
The number itself tells only part of the story. To understand the magnitude of the achievement, you have to look at the names he surpassed.
The previous record of 114 kilograms (251.3 pounds) was held by Leroy Walker, known as ‘The Machine’, since 2021. That mark stood firm for five years, surviving challenges and debate alike. Notably, Nizami Tagiev once claimed a heavier 115-kilogram (253.5-pound) lift, but without official confirmation, Walker’s record remained the benchmark—until now.
Before Walker, the record belonged to none other than Denis Cyplenkov, a legendary figure in strength sport and arm wrestling. That lineage alone underlines the level Engquist has entered.
And he’s only just getting started.
Engquist’s performance in Cologne wasn’t a one-off. His broader strength profile points to an athlete with extraordinary potential. Beyond strict curls, he has showcased remarkable pressing power, regularly handling over 226.8 kilograms (500 pounds) for multiple reps on the bench press—a feat that places him firmly among the elite.
It’s this combination of raw strength, technical discipline, and rapid progression that has caught the attention of some of the biggest names in the game. His abilities haven’t gone unnoticed, with respected figures highlighting how strict curl strength often translates into other disciplines, including arm wrestling.
At 22 years old, Engquist isn’t just breaking records – he’s redefining expectations.
The scary part? This may only be the beginning.
With years of development ahead and a trajectory that’s already pointing skyward, Elias Engquist has positioned himself as one of the most exciting strength athletes on the planet. And if Cologne was any indication, the record books might need to get used to his name.
Featured image credit: Elias Engquist / Instagram
