What exactly happened?
- Date & location: Kim says the lift was filmed on 30 July 2025 in his garage gym in Phnom Penh .
- Body weight vs. weight lifted: According to Kim, he weighed around 71–73 kg during the lift . Pulling 602 kg at that body weight is roughly 8.5× bodyweight, which is astronomically higher than typical “elite” rack‑pull standards (~4× bodyweight ).
- Why so heavy? Rack pulls start at knee‑height, so the range of motion is drastically reduced. Strength coaches note that this variation lets lifters handle loads much heavier than a conventional deadlift , but extreme above‑knee pulls are often considered an “ego contest” that doesn’t carry over to a real deadlift .
- Not a record: Kim’s lift isn’t recognised by any powerlifting or strongman federation; there is no official rack‑pull record . The heaviest full deadlift ratified by Guinness is 501 kg, set by strongman Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson in May 2020 , so Kim’s 602 kg partial lift isn’t comparable.
The Internet reaction
Kim hyped the video with tongue‑in‑cheek lines like “stronger than God” and “dominion over gravity” . Within hours his blog post and accompanying clips detonated across TikTok and YouTube. An earlier 552 kg rack pull from June 2025 had already gone viral , and the 602 kg video sparked the #RackPullChallenge, generating tens of millions of views . Fans called him the “pound‑for‑pound king” and joked that “gravity rage‑quit” . Others noted that he lifts barefoot and beltless in a garage, which makes him look like a relatable underdog rather than a polished competitor .
Is this feat meaningful?
From a training perspective, rack pulls are a legitimate exercise used to overload the top of the deadlift and build grip strength. Strength‑training experts advise setting the bar below or just above the knee and gradually increasing weight ; going too heavy or starting too high compromises form and safety . Jim Wendler, a well‑known coach, warns that very high rack pulls often become little more than an ego lift and rarely carry over to the full deadlift .
Kim frames his monstrous lift as an inspirational call to push beyond perceived limits and to use supra‑maximal partials as a training tool . Whether or not you buy into the hype, his message — set wild goals, train smart, document your journey and celebrate every kilo — has resonated with many lifters . And hey, watching someone hoist more than a small car off safety pins while grinning ear‑to‑ear is undeniably entertaining!
So, while a 602 kg mid‑thigh rack pull isn’t an official world record, it has certainly fired up the online lifting community. Kim’s viral stunt highlights both the possibilities of creative training and the power of social media to turn a garage lift into a global phenomenon. If you’re inspired by his energy, try incorporating heavy rack pulls (maybe start closer to your current deadlift weight ) into your own program — and remember to chase progress with joy, grit and good form! 🏋️♂️🔥