{
  "id": 4147822,
  "title": "S'porean student, 18, breaks deadlift world record, juggles school & part-time work to fund his dream",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/28/sporean-student-18-breaks-deadlift-world-record-juggles-school-part",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-28T18:11:08.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Mothership",
    "slug": "mothership",
    "url": "https://mothership.sg/2026/08/singapore-powerlifter-breaks-deadlift-world-record/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "At 18, Singaporean powerlifter Muhammad Hazrul has smashed a world record. Competing at the 2026 IPF World Championships in South Africa on August 21, Hazrul lifted 273kg in the Sub-Junior Men's 66kg category, surpassing the previous record of 271kg. He also placed second overall in his category.\n\nHazrul's journey to the world stage was no walk in the park. A student at Temasek Polytechnic, he had to juggle school, training, and work to fund his dream. He turned to powerlifting after failing to make the football team in secondary school. Over three and a half years, he honed his skills, eventually entering the 2025 Singapore Nationals, where he finished second.\n\nTo make it to the World Championships, Hazrul took up a part-time job at an Anytime Fitness gym. Balancing work, school, and training was no easy feat. He often questioned how many more shifts he could take before burning out. His social life took a backseat, and his diet was strictly managed. At times, he felt completely empty, but his dream motivated him to keep going.\n\nOn the day of the competition, nervousness gripped him as he stepped onto the platform. Despite cramps and competition jitters, Hazrul made it to the final attempt and broke the world record. Overwhelmed with joy, he fell to the ground before a coach helped him back to his feet. This achievement was the culmination of months of hard work, both in and out of the gym.\n\nWith a 613kg total and a 273kg deadlift, Hazrul finished second overall in his category. His family, especially his mother, was his biggest supporter throughout his powerlifting journey. His older brother also played a crucial role in shaping him into a strong, independent young man. As he looks ahead, Hazrul aims to become a Junior Under-23 World Champion. His achievement at 18 taught him that dreams are meant to be pursued relentlessly, and he will continue working hard, enjoying the process of becoming the athlete and person he aspires to be.",
  "summary": "He broke the world record on his final attempt.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}