UK Powerlifter Joshua Ngoka Continues Meteoric Rise
UK super-heavyweight powerlifter Joshua Ngoka has experienced a remarkable start to his career. Just under two years after his debut competition, the young athlete has added nearly 200 kilograms to his total lift. Ngoka’s recent performance at the 2024 British Powerlifting (BP) British University Championships (BUC) showcased his impressive progress.
Ngoka’s best squat in competition is the 340 kilograms he scored at the 2024 BUC. However, it seems this personal record may soon be shattered, as the powerlifter recently shared a video on social media of him squatting a comfortable-looking 360 kilograms. In the video, Ngoka progressed through warm-ups of 315 kilograms, 335 kilograms, 350 kilograms, and finally the 360-kilogram lift, all while using permissible gear such as knee sleeves, wrist wraps, and a lifting belt.
Ngoka’s meteoric rise began with his first meet, a local qualifier, which served as a stepping stone to his first national event: the 2023 BP British Junior Championships (BJC). He won convincingly, securing his first British title in only his second competition. This success earned him a spot on the British team heading to the 2023 IPF Junior World Championships (JWC), where he dominated the competition, winning gold medals in all three disciplines and breaking the sub-Junior deadlift and total world records.
Continuing his impressive streak, Ngoka swept the board of gold medals at the 2023 European Powerlifting Federation (EPF) European Classic Junior Championships, finishing nearly 200 kilograms ahead of the silver medallist. He extended the sub-Junior deadlift and total world records to 330.5 kilograms and 838.5 kilograms, respectively.
In 2024, Ngoka moved into the Junior age category (ages 19-23), a challenging transition. Despite this, he managed to add 29 kilograms to his total, earning him a second-place finish at the 2024 BP BJC. Regaining his winning streak, Ngoka then hit an impressive 882.5-kilogram total at the 2024 BP BUC.
Ngoka is now set to compete at the 2024 IPF JWC in Malta at the end of August, where he is listed in fifth place in the nominations. Given his recent improvements, he could be a contender for the podium.
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