Panagiotis Tarinidis (66KG) Captures Second IPF World Title in 3 Years – Breaking Muscle
June 15, 2023
Tarinidis’ performance is a definitive statement about his place in the powerlifting world.
Written by Robert Zeglinski
Every now and then, a potential “dynasty” can form at the annual International Powerlifting Federation (IPF) World Classic Powerlifting Championships. In terms of recent runs to royalty, French powerlifter Tiffany Chapon may immediately come to mind. Perhaps it is no coincidence that her French Men’s peer Panagiotis Tarinidis could follow that successful example.
During the 2023 iteration of the IPF Worlds, taking place on June 11-18 in Valletta, Malta, Tarinidis captured his second IPF Open World title in the 66-kilogram division in three years. The athlete came out triumphant in 2021, fell short with a fifth-place finish in 2022, and has now ascended back to the top of the podium as he seeks consistent dominance on a global stage.
While Tarinidis did not have the best deadlift in the 66-kilogram division — that distinction belongs to his World Record-holding peer Brian Le — his overall performance remained one to behold. To score his second career IPF Open World title, Tarinidis squatted 247.5 kilograms (545.6 pounds), notched an all-time raw competition PR bench press of 172.5 kilograms (380.3 pounds), and finished the day with another all-time raw competition PR on his deadlift with 285 kilograms (628.3 pounds).
Tarinidis wore a lifting belt and completed his top deadlift from a conventional stance with a mixed grip. At the time of this writing, without more video, it is unclear what his set-up was on his best squat and bench press.
Here’s an overview of the athlete’s top stats from his performance at the 2023 IPF Worlds:
Panagiotis Tarinidis (66KG) | 2023 IPF Worlds Top Stats
- Squat — 247.5 kilograms (545.6 pounds)
- Bench Press — 172.5 kilograms (380.3 pounds) | All-Time Raw Competition PR
- Deadlift — 300.5 kilograms (662.5 pounds) | All-Time Raw Competition PR
- Total — 705 kilograms (1,554.3 pounds)
Notably, Tarinidis fell just 2.4 kilograms (5.4 pounds) short of his all-time raw competition best total of 1,559.7 pounds. According to his personal page on Open Powerlifting, the athlete scored that mark at the 2021 Fédération Française de Force (FFForce) Silent Worker Meet. Nonetheless, another first-place showing on this kind of sanctioned stage is nothing to sneeze at.
In a post on his Instagram, Tarinidis seemed understandably proud about his latest accomplishment while discussing his patriotism for his native France. To win a gold medal and subsequently sing the French National Anthem appeared to mean the world to this star of strength sports.
“Being able to have the French anthem play at [the 2023 IPF Worlds], with my friends, family … was an incredible moment. I wanted to also share it with you. The best victories are the ones you share, that are hard to obtain. And this one is ours.”
Featured image: @thepanash on Instagram
About Robert Zeglinski
Robert is a seasoned and adept editor and writer with a keen, passionate penchant for the writing craft. He’s been a leader in newsrooms such as SB Nation, USA TODAY, and WBBM Newsradio, with various other content and art production teams, and first made a name for himself in his hometown of Chicago. When not knee-deep in research or lost in a stream of consciousness for a thorough piece, you can find Robert inhaling yet another novel, journaling his heart out, or playing with his Shiba Inu, Maximus (Max, for short).
