Young Powerlifter Lucy Milgrim Sets Records at Just 9 Years Old

At an all-ages competition in Ohio last month, Lucy Milgrim made waves in the powerlifting community by deadlifting 180 pounds, a feat that earned her a third American record with USA Powerlifting. Dressed in pigtails and a custom weight belt, Lucy's lift was set to the electrifying backdrop of AC/DC’s "Thunderstruck," capturing the attention of professional powerlifters and amassing 60 million views on an Instagram video showcasing her impressive strength. At just 9 years old, Lucy, a fourth grader from Long Island, New York, has quickly established herself as one of the top young powerlifters in the nation after only a year in the sport.

Lucy expressed her excitement about her achievement, stating, "I felt really excited, and I was really pumped that I hit that weight. I’ve been going at it for a while, and that was the first time I hit it." As a youth powerlifter, she competes alongside kids as young as 8 in various lifts, including bench pressing, deadlifting, and squatting. Through USA Powerlifting, the largest powerlifting organization in the U.S., young athletes can participate at local meets and advance to regional, national, and international competitions. Typically, youth nationals see participation from 50 to 100 lifters, while local meets usually feature 10 to 20 competitors.

Heather Faas, a seasoned powerlifter and executive director of USA Powerlifting, remarked on the positive impact of the sport on youth athletes. "The impact this sport has on youth is pretty incredible. It helps with self-awareness and having fun, while also executing these lifts with great form and technique," she said. Lucy's records are particularly notable, as she also set a bench press record at 74 pounds and a squat record at 131 pounds. Faas emphasized the rarity of seeing such young athletes lift three times their body weight, a benchmark that is significant even for adult competitors.

In addition to her powerlifting accomplishments, Lucy is also focused on wrestling, training four to five days a week under the guidance of her father and Vougar Oroudjov, an Olympic bronze medalist. Lucy began her powerlifting journey about a year ago after a friend from wrestling joined the sport. Her father, Brett Milgrim, prioritizes safety in her training, avoiding an emphasis on max lifts and utilizing smaller weight increments known as "micro-plates" to ensure safe progression. He stressed the importance of maintaining proper posture and technique during lifts.

Lucy Showcases Her Competitive Spirit

Lucy’s mother, Michelle, noted that her daughter has only attempted maximum weights at three competitions, including the prestigious Arnold Sports Festival in Columbus, Ohio. In a video of her recent lift, Lucy is seen preparing herself, donning a powerlifting belt with her name, pink shoes, and knee-high socks. With her father supporting her, she confidently lifted the bar, beaming with pride as she flexed her muscles after the successful attempt.

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Lucy enjoys the unique aspects of powerlifting, stating, "What I like about powerlifting that I can’t do in wrestling is that I get to put on makeup while I lift and have a pretty hairstyle. In wrestling, I can only do battle braids or ponytails." Her achievements are already inspiring others; at a recent state wrestling match, a 5-year-old girl expressed her admiration, saying she hopes to be "the next Lucy."

Looking ahead, Lucy has ambitious goals, stating, "I want to be an Olympic gold medalist in wrestling, and I want to open my own wrestling club and beat my dad’s record." With her determination and talent, Lucy Milgrim is certainly a young athlete to watch in both powerlifting and wrestling.