Singaporean powerlifter Farhanna Farid breaks deadlift world record at Southeast Asian Cup 2022

In an amazing showcase of strength, 29-year-old Farhanna Farid set a deadlift world record in the Women’s U52 Open category, lifting 201kg at the inaugural Southeast Asian Cup 2022, hosted by the Malaysia Association for Powerlifting

This breaks the previous world record of 200.5kg, also set by her in June at the World Open Classic Powerlifting Championships held in South Africa.

Held at Johor Bahru’s Hotel Trove from Sep 15 to 18, the Southeast Asian Cup was contested by powerlifters from seven Southeast Asian countries – Thailand, Singapore, Indonesia, Philippines, Brunei, Vietnam and Malaysia.

Singapore was the most successful team in the competition, clinching 26 gold, seven silver and nine bronze medals. 

Five of the powerlifters who made the trip across the Causeway also set Asian records.

Yunnie Yang set a new Asian deadlift record in the Women’s U84 Master 1 category. She broke the record with her first deadlift attempt of 160kg, before following it up with a second attempt of 170kg. Her third lift of 180kg was not successful.

Saudi Tan broke the Asian deadlift record in the Women’s U76 Master 1 category with her first attempt of 157.5kg. She went on to break the record again with her second attempt of 167.5kg, although her third attempt of 175kg was unsuccessful.

Saudi also broke the Asian bench press and squat record in the same category, with a successful bench press of 85kg and a squat of 150kg. 

Patricia Lynn Meyer, 67, managed to break the Asian deadlift record in the Women’s U52 Master 3 category in three consecutive attempts. Her first attempt of 110kg was eclipsed by her second attempt of 117.5kg, before breaking the record again with her third attempt of 122.5kg.

In the Women’s U47 Juniors category, 22-year-old Shirley Chu set a new Asian squat record with her first attempt of 118kg and her second attempt of 123kg.

19-year-old Nigel Ng broke the Asian bench press record in the Men’s U83 Junior category with his third bench press attempt of 173.5kg, overtaking a six-year-old record previously held by Singaporean Clinton Lee. 

Farhanna was named the competition’s best female lifter, while Powerlifting Singapore president Clinton Lee, who competed in the men’s Under-74kg, was named the best male athlete.