John Haack has once again found a way to raise a bar that he had already set himself.
The powerlifting superstar produced another record-breaking display at the 2026 Powerlifting United American Pro, finishing the competition with a colossal 1,044-kilogram (2,301.6-pound) raw total, per Generation Iron.
That was enough to establish a new U100KG raw all-time world record, beating Haack’s previous benchmark of 1,043.5 kilograms (2,300.5 pounds), which he set at the 2024 WRPF Ghost Clash 3.
And remarkably, his record-breaking day could have been even bigger.
The American Pro took place on Aug. 7-8 at the Henrico Sports & Events Center in Richmond, Virginia, with Haack competing alongside some of the sport’s elite lifters.
He began his campaign with a successful 340-kilogram (749.6-pound) squat before making a sizeable jump to 380 kilograms (837.8 pounds).
Haack completed that second attempt to establish a new U100KG Powerlifting United national record before deciding to pass on his third squat.
He then turned his attention to the bench press – and this time there was no stopping him.
Haack went three-for-three, starting with 232.5 kilograms (512.6 pounds) and then successfully pressing 250 kilograms (551.2 pounds).
For his third and final attempt, he increased the weight to 265 kilograms (584.2 pounds) and completed the lift, leaving him perfectly positioned to chase history on the deadlift.
Haack opened the final discipline with a comfortable 365 kilograms (804.7 pounds).
But it was his second attempt that ultimately rewrote the record books.
Using a conventional stance and mixed grip, Haack successfully pulled 399 kilograms (879.6 pounds), taking his overall total to 1,044 kilograms (2,301.6 pounds).
It represented an improvement of just half a kilogram on his previous world record, but at the very highest level of the sport, that was all he needed.
With the record secured, Haack decided to go for broke.
A staggering 420 kilograms (925.9 pounds) was loaded onto the bar for his final deadlift attempt.
Haack came agonisingly close to completing the enormous pull but could not secure the lockout.
Had he managed it, his total would have rocketed to 1,065 kilograms (2,347.9 pounds).
Instead, his best lifts for the competition stood at a 380-kilogram squat, 265-kilogram bench press and 399-kilogram deadlift.
That was still enough for another piece of powerlifting history.
Haack has spent more than a decade competing at the highest level across multiple weight classes, collecting major victories and record-breaking performances along the way.
At the 2026 American Pro, he once again proved that even when the world record already has his name beside it, there is still room to push it further.
For now, 1,044 kilograms (2,301.6 pounds) is the number to beat in the U100KG raw total – and once again, it belongs to John Haack.
Featured image credit: John Haack / Instagram
