Records Shattered and Legends Made: A Look Back at SBD Sheffield 2026
If you thought powerlifting had already reached its peak, January 31, 2026, proved us all wrong. The SBD Sheffield Powerlifting Championships returned earlier this year to the historic Sheffield City Hall, bringing 24 of the absolute best classic powerlifters on the planet under one roof.
With a staggering £445,000 prize pool on the line and placings determined by who could shatter the IPF world record total by the greatest margin, the stakes were sky-high. Athletes weren’t just lifting against each other; they were lifting against history.
Here is a look back at the biggest moments, the fiercest battles, and the champions who took home the glory at Sheffield 2026.
The Champions of Champions
It was a day defined by absolute dominance from the top of the podium. Austin Perkins (USA) and Tiffany Chapon (France) delivered show-stopping performances, securing the title of Champion of Champions for the Men’s and Women’s divisions, respectively.
Both athletes showcased flawless execution under immense pressure, pushing the boundaries of their weight classes. For their efforts—which included breaking multiple world records and maxing out their total percentages—Perkins and Chapon each walked away with a massive £40,000 payout.
High Stakes and Heartbreak on the Platform
Because Sheffield’s scoring system rewards breaking world records by the highest margin, it forces lifters to make incredibly strategic—and sometimes risky—attempt selections.
- The 83kg Deadlift War: The atmosphere was electric during the deadlift battle between Great Britain’s Jurins Kengamu and the USA’s Joe Borenstein. With massive pulls on the line and strategic attempt changes playing out in real-time, it was a masterclass in meet day coaching and raw grit.
- Brittany Schlater’s Gamble: Canada’s Brittany Schlater showed exactly what it means to leave it all on the platform. On her final deadlift, she loaded a massive 295.5kg to secure the overall silver, a world record total, and a world record deadlift (which would have netted her an extra £18,500). While the brutal miss was heartbreaking and cost her a podium finish, it perfectly encapsulated the “go big or go home” spirit of Sheffield.
Standout Performances
Beyond the overall champions, the roster was packed with unforgettable moments:
- Alba Boström (Sweden) secured an incredible 2nd place overall finish in the women’s division, breaking world records and taking home £17,500.
- Emil Norling (Sweden) was an absolute technician, going a perfect 9 for 9 on the day and cementing his status as one of the most consistent lifters in the IPF.
- Russel Orhii (USA), competing as a wildcard in his new 93kg class, proved that his move up in weight was the right call. Despite facing fierce competition from legends like Emil Krastev and Gustav Hedlund, Russ put on a spectacular show, breaking records and earning a massive payday that rivaled the top podium finishers.
- Heavyweight Bench Presses: The women’s bench press was a highlight reel of its own, featuring monumental lifts from athletes like Karlina Tongotea, Sonita Muluh, and Brittany Schlater pushing well beyond the 130kg–160kg range.
The End of an Era—and the Future of Sheffield
Sheffield 2026 was a bittersweet milestone, as it marked the final time the event will be held at the intimate and historic Sheffield City Hall.
But the future of the sport has never looked brighter. During the event, IPF President Sigurjón Pétursson announced that the IPF and SBD have officially extended their partnership through 2031. Because the sport has grown so massive, Sheffield V is moving to a much larger venue—the Utilita Arena—and will take place later this year on November 21, 2026.
The bar has been raised, the records have been rewritten, and the countdown to November has already begun.
Athletes
The Sheffield roster featured 24 of the world’s absolute strongest powerlifters, all dedicating their lives to the iron to push the boundaries of human strength and rewrite the record books. To reach this elite stage, most athletes are “Qualified,” earning their spots automatically by dominating at the previous year’s IPF World Championships and hitting a massive percentage of the current world record total. The remaining spots are filled by “Wild Cards”—athletes handpicked by SBD based on their historical merit and record-breaking potential to ensure the absolute best lifters are on the platform, regardless of how they performed at Worlds.
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