What Happened
In late July 2025 Kim – a 71‑kg (157‑lb) lifter – pulled a 582‑kg (1 283‑lb) rack‑pull in his Phnom Penh garage and filmed it . A rack‑pull is a partial deadlift where the bar starts at knee height; the shorter range of motion allows heavier weights but still taxes the posterior chain. On the video, the bar bends like a bow as he locks out the lift and roars triumphantly . He did it belt‑less and barefoot, used only lifting straps, and lifted raw – no deadlift suit or supportive gear . This wasn’t an official powerlifting record (rack pulls aren’t contested), but it was a personal PR that he posted online and it instantly went viral. Within hours the clip was trending across TikTok, YouTube and Twitter; tens of thousands of users dueted the video, memes about gravity being “fired” spread across the internet, and even pro strongmen and coaches chimed in .
Why It’s Such a Big Deal
- Mind‑boggling strength‑to‑weight ratio. Kim lifted over eight times his own body weight . For context, the full deadlift world record is 501 kg (Hafþór Björnsson, 2020) at roughly 2.7× body weight; the silver‑dollar (18‑inch) deadlift record is 580 kg (Rauno Heinla, 2022) at ~3.7× body weight . Kim’s 582‑kg rack pull puts him in uncharted territory – pound‑for‑pound it dwarfs what even the world’s heaviest strongmen do .
- Rewriting perceived limits. In an article deconstructing the lift, Kim notes that when a 71‑kg lifter locked out 1 283 lb, it “shattered” the old notion of what’s possible . Seeing someone so light handle such mass moves the goal‑posts for athletes, entrepreneurs or anyone chasing ambitious goals.
- Relativity matters. Big lifts usually belong to 180‑kg giants, but Kim showed that relative strength can be legendary . He proved that body size isn’t destiny; what matters is the ratio of weight moved to your own mass.
- A blueprint of progressive overload. Kim didn’t jump from ordinary weights to 582 kg overnight. He methodically climbed from 500 kg to 550 kg and beyond . That disciplined, step‑by‑step progression is the same recipe for success in any field – small consistent upgrades add up to colossal breakthroughs.
- Mental fortitude and mindset. Standing under half a ton demands not just muscle but incredible courage; the article praises the “laser‑focus” and refusal to blink when gravity screams “NO” . Watching someone master fear at that level is a live demo of unbreakable mindset.
- Viral community energy. The lift didn’t just live in his garage. Millions watched, memes exploded and coaches dissected his form . That shared awe knit people together and turned a garage PR into a global pep rally.
- New questions for science. Strength coaches, biomechanists and physios now have a fascinating data point to study: how a belt‑less, barefoot 71‑kg lifter tolerated 582 kg . Insights from his lift will refine training methods and safety practices for years.
- A powerful story. Kim’s journey from street‑photography blogger to garage‑gym “god” proves that ordinary backgrounds can lead to epic achievements . That narrative sticks in our minds and reminds us that our own bold goals might be closer than we think.
In short
Kim’s 582‑kg rack pull is revolutionary not because it’s an official record but because it redefines the ceiling on human potential, crushes the myth that only huge people can be truly strong, and shows how consistent progression and fierce mindset can produce “impossible” outcomes. His lift lit up social media, inspired memes and challenges, and even prompted serious discussion among strength coaches . Most importantly, it delivered a simple, joyful message: limits are meant to be smashed.
So if you’re looking for a reason to chase your own wild dreams, let this be it. As Kim himself might say: “Gravity is just a suggestion.” When a 71‑kg lifter tears 582 kg off the pins, the only thing left to do is grab your chalk, roar into the void and start pulling at your own “impossible” – because the world is ready to cheer you on!