Working part-time to fund his dream, Singaporean, 18, breaks powerlifting world record with 273kg deadlift
18-year-old Singaporean student Muhammad Hazrul Abdul Malik set a new world record in the 273kg deadlift at the IPF World Sub-Junior & Junior Powerlifting Championships. He achieved this feat while balancing his studies and a part-time job to fund his training.
Why it matters
The story highlights individual perseverance and the challenges faced by amateur athletes in niche sports who lack institutional funding.
Muhammad Hazrul Abdul Malik balanced polytechnic studies, gruelling training sessions and a part-time job to fund his powerlifting dream.
On Aug 21, the 18-year-old Singaporean achieved the biggest lift of his career, breaking the world record with a 273kg deadlift at the International Powerlifting Federation (IPF) World Sub-Junior & Junior Powerlifting Championships 2026 in Sun City, South Africa.
The previous world record stood at 271kg.
Muhammad Hazrul, a second-year Temasek Polytechnic student studying Architectural Technology and Building Services, also finished second overall in his category with a total lift of 613kg — comprising a 220kg squat, 120kg bench press and 273kg deadlift.
The record-breaking performance, however, came after a difficult start to the competition.
One of his squat attempts was disqualified because he did not squat low enough, while he suffered severe cramps in his calves and arms during warm-up, Berita Harian (BH) reported.
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