Advanced Barbell Systems (ABS) Clash of the Titans 2: Lightweight Lifter Scores Colossal Victory
Advanced Barbell Systems (ABS) held its second edition of Clash of the Titans on April 20, 2024, in Dublin, Ireland. This event is scored on the biggest total achieved — no weight classes or formula. This format favors the super heavyweights; however, it was one of the lightest lifters who won the ABS belt on this occasion.
Dave Richardson, a rising star in the strongman scene, has been on an upward trajectory for some time and was one of the favorites to make the podium. At the contest’s first edition in 2023, Richardson came second to Fernando Arias. However, in the space of a year, Richardson has added an incredible 70 kilograms to his total, and he secured the win with a colossal 432.5-kilogram deadlift.
“Richardson set up in a conventional stance, took the barbell in a mixed grip, and began the pull. As the bar passed his knees, Richardson cried, ‘Oh yeah! Oh yeah!’ knowing he would reach lockout. He was immediately awarded the 2024 ABS Clash of the Titans 2 belt.”
Richardson’s huge 432.5-kilogram lift is the second-biggest deadlift ever achieved in a full power meet with a conventional stance, surpassed only by Benedikt Magnússon’s 442.5-kilogram lift. With sumo deadlifters included, Richardson’s lift is the seventh biggest in the world.
Richardson scored 617.14 dots to put him at the top of the UK rankings and moved into the top 20 world rankings on raw total. This event was billed as the strongest platform in Europe, and indeed, only 40 athletes in the history of powerlifting have ever hit a total big enough to make this podium. Richardson weighed in at 123.6 kilograms, putting him in the 125KG class. Only Zahir Khudayarov has totaled more in this class.
It is unclear when Richardson will compete next, but if he keeps improving at this rate, the all-time world records won’t be out of reach. The next ABS series contest will occur in Cologne, Germany, May 31-June 2, 2024.
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