Swedish powerlifter Carl Johansson became famous at Malta’s 2023 International Powerlifting Federation (IPF) Classic World Championships (CWC). He pulled off a surprise win, unseating three-time world champion Taylor Atwood.

However, it seems Johansson will not defend his world title in 2024 in Druskininkai, Lithuania. He updated his Instagram followers on May 17, 2024, that he had sustained a back injury and would not be able to compete. Check out his statement below:

Johansson stated that he had been suffering from crippling pain since injuring his back several weeks ago and was still unable to perform everyday tasks, let alone train. However, he said his rehab was going well, albeit slowly. He is optimistic about the future:

I’m more hopeful than sorrowful…I know this is not the end.

Johansson won the 2022 IPF Junior World Championships (JWC) by more than 20 kilograms ahead of his rivals. Still a Junior, Johansson competed at the 2023 CWC in Malta. Although widely considered a threat in the 74KG class, no one could have anticipated what came next.

Atwood had been the undisputed king of the 74KG class and held the highest GL points score ever seen in the IPF at the time of the contest. However, things did not go Atwood’s way in Malta, as Johansson pulled a new world record deadlift of 328 kilograms to secure the overall win.

Johansson broke the deadlift world record again at the 2024 Sheffield Powerlifting Championships in the UK with 330.5 kilograms but missed the 340.5-kilogram attempt that would have ascended him to fifth place.

The 74KG class is one of the most highly anticipated battles at the upcoming 2024 IPF CWC in Druskininkai, Lithuania. Austin Perkins, the highest-ranked tested powerlifter in the world, will return to the IPF, and Johansson was expected to play a big part in that battle.

Johansson is now working through his recovery and rehabilitation. It’s impossible to say how long it will take, but Johansson has a great team around him, and he could potentially return to competition later in 2024. Although it’s a blow not to defend his world title, Johansson will aim to return stronger than ever.

Featured image: @deadlift.miyagi on Instagram

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