Wilhelm Sets Junior World Record Total, Eyes Nationals Next
A Paulding County native is making his mark on the national and world stage of powerlifting. Nathan Wilhelm has steadily risen through the ranks of the sport, recently achieving a junior world record total and positioning himself among the top competitors in his division.
Wilhelm has been lifting weights since 2018, though he did not enter his first powerlifting meet until 2023. Competing under USA Powerlifting, the largest drug-tested powerlifting federation in the United States, he quickly progressed from local and state competitions to national-level meets over the past year.
His dedication and focus culminated in what he considers his biggest accomplishment to date—a junior world record total in the 308-pound, drug-tested raw division. Wilhelm spent at least two years working toward that goal.
“I devoted at least two years of attention to this singular goal,” he said.
Across the three primary lifts—squat, bench press and deadlift—Wilhelm demonstrated both strength and consistency. Of the three, he says the deadlift is his favorite.
“It’s not very technical,” he said. “It’s just a great indicator of someone’s raw power.”
Despite setting a world record, Wilhelm narrowly missed a top-five finish and did not earn a professional card. Still, he remains focused on what lies ahead.
Wilhelm also offered advice to younger athletes interested in powerlifting, emphasizing patience and consistency.
“Getting stronger takes time—more than you probably think,” he said. “Focus on your own progress instead of comparing yourself to others.”
He added that athletes must be willing to adjust their training over time to continue improving.
“At a certain point your body adapts,” Wilhelm said. “You need to introduce something new every four to eight weeks and target your weak points. I’ve never had a coach—I just stayed curious and kept learning.”
Wilhelm credited his success to the support of his family, including his parents, in-laws, sisters and his wife, Shannon, who travels with him to competitions and helps keep him focused. Many of his supporters also follow along through livestreams, offering encouragement from home.
Wilhelm will next compete at USAPL Raw Nationals in Chicago on June 13. Following that event, he plans to take an extended offseason to allow his body to recover after completing three consecutive meet preparation cycles with no break in between. These “meet preps,” typically lasting 10 to 14 weeks, are designed to maximize strength and efficiency while minimizing injury risk. However, the sustained intensity places significant strain on the joints and central nervous system. Wilhelm emphasized the importance of stepping away from maximal lifting to allow for proper recovery, noting that while some strength may temporarily decline, it returns quickly once training resumes.
Wilhelm’s record-setting performance came at the Arnold Sports Festival, one of the premier fitness expos in the world, founded by Arnold Schwarzenegger. Held March 5–8 in Columbus, Ohio, the event features a wide range of strength sports and draws elite competitors from across the globe. Wilhelm competed on March 7 in what was his first appearance at a world-level meet.
At the 2026 Arnold Sports Festival, Wilhelm recorded the following results:
Squat: 760, 804, 815 pounds
Bench Press: 534, 551, 551 pounds
Deadlift: 694, 750, 782 pounds (personal record)
Total: 2,122 pounds (962.5 kilograms) – Junior 308-pound tested raw world record
With a world record already to his name, Wilhelm now looks ahead to nationals with the goal of continuing his rise in the sport and earning his professional status.
