American super heavyweight powerlifter Alexis Jones debuted in the International Powerlifting Federation (IPF) on June 23 at the 2024 Classic World Championships (CWC) in Druskininkai, Lithuania. In the event, she held the biggest raw (in knee sleeves) total ever achieved by a female-tested athlete at 721.5 kilograms.
The Women’s +84KG class at the 2024 CWC pushed the boundaries of strength, with the world record being broken multiple times in every discipline. Jones was part of that historic contest and took the bench press world record via a monstrous 167-kilogram press. Check out the lift below, courtesy of the IPF’s Instagram page:
Jones benches with the aid of wrist wraps but no other supportive equipment. She brought the barbell to her chest in one smooth movement, sinking slightly before bringing the bar to a complete stop. In the IPF, sinking is only against the rules if it occurs after the press command.
Jones pressed the weight evenly. Although it slowed through the middle of the lift, she locked it out cleanly. The world record that Jones broke with this lift had been set a moment before.
The previous lifter, France’s Amélie Mierger, chipped her world record with 166.5 kilograms. This was the weight that Team USA had submitted for Jones’ third attempt.
However, once Mierger had succeeded at this weight, it was no longer a valid attempt for Jones and was automatically adjusted to 167 kilograms. The numbers selected can only be multiples of 2.5 kilograms unless it is a world record attempt.
Jones fought at the front, although it was her first IPF World Championships. Sonita Muluh, the eventual winner, squatted a colossal 311 kilograms, creating a lead that could not be overcome. However, Jones was closely matched with the defending world champion, Brittany Schlater.
Jones moved two kilograms ahead of Schlater in the final round of deadlifts with 262.5 kilograms. However, Schlater pulled a new deadlift world record of 269.5 kilograms to match Jones’ total and beat her on bodyweight.
2024 IPF World Classic Powerlifting Championship Results — Alexis Jones (USA), 84+KG
245 kilograms
260 kilograms
275 kilograms
Bench Press
152.5 kilograms
160 kilograms
167 kilograms — IPF Open World Record
Deadlift
242.5 kilograms
257.5 kilograms
262.5 kilograms
Total — 704.5 kilograms
This performance qualified Jones to compete at the 2025 World Games in Chengdu, China. She also secured her place at the 2025 Sheffield Powerlifting Championships, the UK’s big-money meet. Muluh and Schlater earned their spot at Sheffield 2025, so the rematch is already booked.
Featured image: @theipf on Instagram
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