In an impressive feat for someone her age, Rory Van Ulft deadlifted 111 kilograms (244 pounds) beltless at only 9 years old. This remarkable accomplishment was caught on camera and has since gone viral. Many are in awe of the strength and determination of this young weightlifter, and we can’t wait to see what she will achieve in the future.

Who’s Rory Van Ulft? 

Rory is a three-time U.S. weightlifting Youth National Champion who’s only 9 years old and can lift way more than she weighs. Rory has gathered 481k followers on Instagram who follow her training routine and journey towards becoming the youngest, most awarded athlete.

Rory initially picked up weightlifting as an addition to her gymnastics training. Coming from Ottawa her first competition was in 2016 when she was only 6 years old. She performed a 50-pound clean and jerk and a 38-pound snatch, according to Insider.

With several weightlifting championships under her belt, she does not plan to stop anytime soon.

“Rory can do weightlifting as long as she wants,” said the young athlete’s mother, Lindsay.

Recent achievements

On April 5, 2022, Aurora “Rory” van Ulft who back then was a two-time USA Weightlifting (USAW) Youth National champion participating in the 30-kilogram weight class and 13-and-under division posted a video on Instagram pulling 100 kg (220.5 pounds). More than 3 times her body weight.

Just 5 days ago on her Instagram, she posted a video deadlifting 111kg (244 pounds) which is over 3.43 times her body weight and 1kg above the all-time Youth 1 BOYS’record, set in 2021 by an athlete in the 67.5kg category – over twice her size.

Watch the lift here:

While wearing lifting straps during this lift, meaning it isn’t technically raw, it’s an important achievement for a weightlifting community.

The deadlifts have a lot of carryover on the snatches and clean & jerks, so Rory van Ulft’s recent improvement will be very beneficial in her future weightlifting journey.

This is an incredible accomplishment for such a young athlete, and it will be exciting to see how she progresses in the coming years. Aurora “Rory” van Ulft has demonstrated that with hard work and dedication, anything is possible. We wish her the best of luck as she continues her weightlifting career.

Here’s the advice she gives to other girls and boys her age: “You always have to try your best. Even if you don’t get what you’re trying to make that day, you still tried as hard as you can. And you should keep trying until you can’t.”