USA · 75 kg raw · 37 career entries
John Welch
John Welch was an American powerlifter who competed in the 75 kg raw division.
His best competition total was 777.5 kg (1,714 lb), set at Senior National Championships in July 1982.
Over a career spanning 34 meets between 1969 and 2019, he set eight raw world records in squat, bench press, deadlift, and total across the 67.5 and 75 kg classes.
Career total progression
John Welch's competition total at each meet, with markers on every meet that set a world record.
- Competition meet
- World record set, later surpassed
- World record still held
Record-setting meets, in order
- 1973-09-08 Total 67.5 kg 614.6 kg1355 lb Senior Nationals
- 1973-09-08 Deadlift 67.5 kg 242.7 kg535 lb Senior Nationals
- 1973-09-08 Squat 67.5 kg 217.7 kg480 lb Senior Nationals
- 1973-09-08 Bench Press 67.5 kg 154.2 kg340 lb Senior Nationals
- 1975-08-30 Total 67.5 kg 645.0 kg1422 lb Senior Nationals
- 1975-08-30 Bench Press 67.5 kg 162.5 kg359 lb Senior Nationals
- 1980-04-26 Bench Press 75 kg 188.2 kg415 lb Bench Press & Deadlift Tournament
- 1981-04-25 Deadlift 75 kg 288.0 kg635 lb Power Day
View total at each meet (25 entries)
| Date | Meet | Total | Marker |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1969-08-29 | Senior Nationals | 585.1 kg1290 lb | |
| 1970-08-22 | Senior Nationals | 601.0 kg1325 lb | |
| 1971-09-10 | Senior Nationals | 594.2 kg1310 lb | |
| 1971-11-06 | Men's World Powerlifting Championships | 619.1 kg1365 lb | |
| 1972-11-10 | Men's World Powerlifting Championships | 619.1 kg1365 lb | |
| 1973-09-08 | Senior Nationals | 614.6 kg1355 lb | World record (surpassed) |
| 1975-08-30 | Senior Nationals | 645.0 kg1422 lb | World record (surpassed) |
| 1975-11-22 | Men's World Powerlifting Championships | 640.0 kg1411 lb | |
| 1979-12-01 | Jr & Sr Allegheny Mountain Championships | 696.3 kg1535 lb | |
| 1980-03-30 | Annual Great Lakes Championships | 707.6 kg1560 lb | |
| 1980-05-17 | Jerrold S. Blum Open | 722.5 kg1593 lb | |
| 1980-10-25 | Power Day | 728.0 kg1605 lb | |
| 1981-06-20 | Pennsylvania State | 707.6 kg1560 lb | |
| 1981-12-05 | Allegheny Mountain Association Championships | 771.1 kg1700 lb | |
| 1982-06-19 | Pennsylvania State Championships | 725.8 kg1600 lb | |
| 1982-07-10 | Senior National Championships | 777.5 kg1714 lb | |
| 1982-11-20 | Allegheny Mountain Association Championships | 798.3 kg1760 lb | |
| 1984-06-23 | Pennsylvania State Championships | 773.4 kg1705 lb | |
| 1985-12-14 | Steel Valley Open | 717.5 kg1582 lb | |
| 1986-05-03 | Masters Nationals | 765.0 kg1687 lb | |
| 1989-11-18 | Masters Nationals | 650.0 kg1433 lb | |
| 1990-11-03 | Masters Nationals | 695.0 kg1532 lb | |
| 2018-12-15 | Central PA Open | 372.5 kg821 lb | |
| 2019-04-27 | Great Lakes Championships | 387.5 kg855 lb | |
| 2019-12-14 | Central PA Open | 400.0 kg882 lb |
World records set
Every world record John Welch has set. Records he still holds are listed first; the rest have since been broken.
- Total 67.5 kg Wraps men: 645 kg (1,422 lb) at Senior Nationals, 1975 [later surpassed]
- Total 67.5 kg Raw men: 614.62 kg (1,355 lb) at Senior Nationals, 1973 [later surpassed]
- Deadlift 75 kg Raw men: 288.03 kg (635 lb) at Power Day, 1981 [later surpassed]
- Deadlift 67.5 kg Raw men: 242.67 kg (535 lb) at Senior Nationals, 1973 [later surpassed]
- Squat 67.5 kg Raw men: 217.72 kg (480 lb) at Senior Nationals, 1973 [later surpassed]
- Bench Press 75 kg Raw men: 188.24 kg (415 lb) at Bench Press & Deadlift Tournament, 1980 [later surpassed]
- Bench Press 67.5 kg Wraps men: 162.5 kg (359 lb) at Senior Nationals, 1975 [later surpassed]
- Bench Press 67.5 kg Raw men: 154.22 kg (340 lb) at Senior Nationals, 1973 [later surpassed]
Meet history
All 37 sanctioned and unsanctioned entries on file, most recent first.
View full meet history (37 entries)
| Date | Meet | Class | BW | Eq | Squat | Bench | Deadlift | Total | DOTS | Place |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019-12-14 | RAW · Central PA Open | 75 | 72.6 kg160 lb | Raw (raw) | 127.5 kg281 lb | 90.0 kg199 lb | 182.5 kg403 lb | 400.0 kg882 lb | 293.20 | 3 |
| 2019-04-27 | RAW · Great Lakes Championships | 75 | 73.8 kg163 lb | Raw (raw) | 115.0 kg254 lb | 95.0 kg210 lb | 177.5 kg392 lb | 387.5 kg855 lb | 280.91 | 5 |
| 2018-12-15 | RAW · Central PA Open | 75 | 72.1 kg159 lb | Raw (raw) | 110.0 kg243 lb | 92.5 kg204 lb | 170.0 kg375 lb | 372.5 kg821 lb | 274.17 | 1 |
| 2018-12-15 | RAW · Central PA Open | 75 | 72.1 kg159 lb | Raw (raw) | 110.0 kg243 lb | 92.5 kg204 lb | 170.0 kg375 lb | 372.5 kg821 lb | 274.17 | 3 |
| 2003-06-01 | ADAU · Single Lift Nationals | 75 | 75.0 kg166 lb | Raw (raw) | — | 129.3 kg285 lb | — | 129.3 kg285 lb | 92.74 | 1 |
| 1990-11-03 | APF · Masters Nationals | 82.5 | 82.5 kg182 lb | Single-ply | 260.0 kg573 lb | 170.0 kg375 lb | 265.0 kg584 lb | 695.0 kg1532 lb | 470.79 | 2 |
| 1989-11-18 | ADFPA · Masters Nationals | 75 | 75.0 kg166 lb | Single-ply | 245.0 kg540 lb | 162.5 kg359 lb | 242.5 kg535 lb | 650.0 kg1433 lb | 466.32 | 1 |
| 1986-05-03 | USPF · Masters Nationals | 82.5 | 82.5 kg182 lb | Single-ply | 285.0 kg629 lb | 192.5 kg425 lb | 287.5 kg634 lb | 765.0 kg1687 lb | 518.21 | 1 |
| 1985-12-14 | USPF · Steel Valley Open | — | Single-ply | 297.5 kg656 lb | 105.0 kg232 lb | 315.0 kg695 lb | 717.5 kg1582 lb | 1 | ||
| 1984-06-23 | USPF · Pennsylvania State Championships | 75 | 75.0 kg166 lb | Single-ply | 272.2 kg600 lb | 197.3 kg435 lb | 303.9 kg670 lb | 773.4 kg1705 lb | 554.84 | 1 |
| 1984-04-28 | USPF · Penn State Open Bench Press & Deadlift | — | Raw (raw) | — | — | 297.1 kg655 lb | 297.1 kg655 lb | G | ||
| 1984-04-28 | USPF · Penn State Open Bench Press & Deadlift | — | Raw (raw) | — | 208.7 kg460 lb | — | 208.7 kg460 lb | G | ||
| 1984-02-25 | USA-UA · Ambridge VFW Open Bench Press | 82.5 | 82.5 kg182 lb | Raw (raw) | — | 199.6 kg440 lb | — | 199.6 kg440 lb | 135.19 | 1 |
| 1983-04-23 | USA-UA · Power Day | 82.5 | 78.5 kg173 lb | Raw (raw) | — | 204.1 kg450 lb | — | 204.1 kg450 lb | 142.38 | 1 |
| 1982-11-20 | USPF · Allegheny Mountain Association Championships | 82.5 | 82.5 kg182 lb | Single-ply | 294.8 kg650 lb | 201.8 kg445 lb | 301.6 kg665 lb | 798.3 kg1760 lb | 540.78 | G |
| 1982-07-10 | USPF · Senior National Championships | 75 | 74.9 kg165 lb | Single-ply | 285.0 kg629 lb | 195.0 kg430 lb | 297.5 kg656 lb | 777.5 kg1714 lb | 558.27 | 2 |
| 1982-06-19 | USPF · Pennsylvania State Championships | 75 | 75.0 kg166 lb | Single-ply | 267.6 kg590 lb | 183.7 kg405 lb | 274.4 kg605 lb | 725.8 kg1600 lb | 520.67 | 1 |
| 1982-04-24 | USA-UA · Power Day | 75 | 75.0 kg166 lb | Raw (raw) | — | 181.4 kg400 lb | — | 181.4 kg400 lb | 130.17 | 1 |
| 1981-12-05 | USPF · Allegheny Mountain Association Championships | 82.5 | 82.5 kg182 lb | Single-ply | 288.0 kg635 lb | 197.3 kg435 lb | 285.8 kg630 lb | 771.1 kg1700 lb | 522.34 | 1 |
| 1981-09-05 | USPF · Western Pennsylvania Bench Press | 75 | 75.0 kg166 lb | Raw (raw) | — | 170.1 kg375 lb | — | 170.1 kg375 lb | 122.03 | 1 |
| 1981-06-20 | USPF · Pennsylvania State | 75 | 75.0 kg166 lb | Single-ply | 263.1 kg580 lb | 167.8 kg370 lb | 276.7 kg610 lb | 707.6 kg1560 lb | 507.65 | 1 |
| 1981-04-25 | USA-UA · Power Day | 75 | 75.0 kg166 lb | Raw (raw) | — | — | 288.0 kg635 lb | 288.0 kg635 lb | 206.64 | 1 |
| 1981-04-25 | USA-UA · Power Day | 75 | 75.0 kg166 lb | Raw (raw) | — | 190.5 kg420 lb | — | 190.5 kg420 lb | 136.68 | 1 |
| 1980-10-25 | USPF · Power Day | 75 | 75.0 kg166 lb | Single-ply | 260.8 kg575 lb | 181.4 kg400 lb | 285.8 kg630 lb | 728.0 kg1605 lb | 522.30 | 1 |
| 1980-05-17 | USPF · Jerrold S. Blum Open | 75 | 75.0 kg166 lb | Single-ply | 252.5 kg557 lb | 190.0 kg419 lb | 280.0 kg618 lb | 722.5 kg1593 lb | 518.34 | 1 |
| 1980-04-26 | USA-UA · Bench Press & Deadlift Tournament | 75 | 75.0 kg166 lb | Raw (raw) | — | 188.2 kg415 lb | — | 188.2 kg415 lb | 135.05 | 1 |
| 1980-03-30 | USPF · Annual Great Lakes Championships | 75 | 75.0 kg166 lb | Single-ply | 247.2 kg545 lb | 183.7 kg405 lb | 276.7 kg610 lb | 707.6 kg1560 lb | 507.65 | 1 |
| 1979-12-01 | USPF · Jr & Sr Allegheny Mountain Championships | 75 | 75.0 kg166 lb | Single-ply | 244.9 kg540 lb | 176.9 kg390 lb | 274.4 kg605 lb | 696.3 kg1535 lb | 499.52 | 1 |
| 1979-11-17 | USPF · Open Bench Meet | 75 | 75.0 kg166 lb | Raw (raw) | — | 181.4 kg400 lb | — | 181.4 kg400 lb | 130.17 | 1 |
| 1975-11-22 | IPF · Men's World Powerlifting Championships | 67.5 | 67.2 kg148 lb | Wraps (raw) | 225.0 kg496 lb | 160.0 kg353 lb | 255.0 kg562 lb | 640.0 kg1411 lb | 494.87 | 1 |
| 1975-08-30 | AAU · Senior Nationals | 67.5 | 67.5 kg149 lb | Wraps (raw) | 222.5 kg491 lb | 162.5 kg359 lb | 260.0 kg573 lb | 645.0 kg1422 lb | 497.13 | 1 |
| 1973-09-08 | AAU · Senior Nationals | 67.5 | 67.5 kg149 lb | Raw (raw) | 217.7 kg480 lb | 154.2 kg340 lb | 242.7 kg535 lb | 614.6 kg1355 lb | 473.72 | 1 |
| 1972-11-10 | AAU · Men's World Powerlifting Championships | 67.5 | 67.5 kg149 lb | Wraps (raw) | 222.3 kg490 lb | 158.8 kg350 lb | 238.1 kg525 lb | 619.1 kg1365 lb | 477.21 | 3 |
| 1971-11-06 | AAU · Men's World Powerlifting Championships | 67.5 | 67.5 kg149 lb | Wraps (raw) | 215.5 kg475 lb | 154.2 kg340 lb | 249.5 kg550 lb | 619.1 kg1365 lb | 477.21 | 2 |
| 1971-09-10 | AAU · Senior Nationals | 67.5 | 67.5 kg149 lb | Wraps (raw) | 208.7 kg460 lb | 149.7 kg330 lb | 235.9 kg520 lb | 594.2 kg1310 lb | 457.99 | 2 |
| 1970-08-22 | AAU · Senior Nationals | 67.5 | 67.5 kg149 lb | Wraps (raw) | 199.6 kg440 lb | 156.5 kg345 lb | 244.9 kg540 lb | 601.0 kg1325 lb | 463.23 | 1 |
| 1969-08-29 | AAU · Senior Nationals | 67.5 | 65.3 kg144 lb | Wraps (raw) | 192.8 kg425 lb | 149.7 kg330 lb | 242.7 kg535 lb | 585.1 kg1290 lb | 462.02 | 1 |
Related
Records are computed from the OpenPowerlifting public-domain dataset and represent the highest qualifying lift on file for each (federation, sex, equipment, weight class, age class, tested) combination. State records are scoped by the lifter's registered state of residence (matching USAPL/PA/USPA rules), not by meet location; coverage depends on the federation — USAPL and USPA report lifter state for 87–97% of entries, while some smaller feds report it rarely. Records may differ from a federation's official record book. Read more about how these records are computed.