USA’s Austin Perkins, a prominent star in the Powerlifting world, has qualified for The World Games 2025, in Chengdu (CHN) from 7-17 August, marking a significant milestone in his career.
Perkins' qualification follows his impressive performance at the IPF World Championships, where he secured his first world title and set new World Records in both the squat (311kg) and total lift (836kg) categories.
Perkins' journey to this achievement is a testament to his dedication and perseverance despite a serious back injury. After a five-year hiatus from IPF competitions, he made a remarkable return, demonstrating that his rigorous training and unwavering commitment had paid off.
Reflecting on his victory, Perkins shared, "It has been 5 years since I was away of the IPF. The last time I secured a collegiate world title. Five years later I returned and secured my first world title. I honestly feel like everything has come full circle."
Qualifying for The World Games is a dream come true for the 25 years old. This qualification signifies more than just a personal victory; it represents a significant landmark in his professional powerlifting career.
"Since The World Games is only held every 4 years, I think this is a huge milestone for my career. Not a lot of powerlifters can say they have been part of The World Games," Perkins said.
He takes great pride in being one of the first Classic powerlifters to compete at this level, highlighting the event's inaugural inclusion of this discipline.
Perkins' preparation for The World Games 2025 is already underway. He plans to intensify his training regimen, pushing harder and longer than ever before. Recognising the rarity and prestige of this opportunity, Perkins is determined to make the most of it.
"I plan on pushing harder and longer in training than I ever have in my 12 years of powerlifting. I know this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and I can’t let this chance slip away," he said.
The road to this point has not been without its challenges. In 2022, Perkins suffered a double inguinal hernia, a setback that could have ended his career. However, his resilience and dedication to rehabilitation saw him return to full strength within a year, emerging stronger than ever.
"The biggest challenge I can think of is my double inguinal hernia back in 2022. I thought my career would be over, but I rehabbed and was back to full strength within a year. After that year I was stronger than ever," Perkins reflected.
As he prepares for The World Games, Perkins remains focused on both the mental and physical demands of elite powerlifting. His fiancé plays a crucial role in his mental preparation, providing unwavering support and encouragement.
"The mental aspect my fiancé helps me with all the time. The best thing to do is just focus on myself and keep in mind I am the only thing I can control," Perkins explained.
For aspiring powerlifters, Perkins offers valuable advice: "Take your time and don’t rush anything. Truly trust the process and keep your vision clear. Powerlifting is about longevity. If you listen to your body and stay healthy the sky's the limit."
Outside of his rigorous training schedule, Perkins enjoys relaxing with his fiancé, binge-watching shows like Modern Family and The Office, and indulging in video games.
He extends heartfelt gratitude to his fans and supporters, saying:
"Thank you for always having faith in me even when I haven't had faith in myself. I hope I can give you hope and show you it doesn’t matter where you come from. If you keep trying you can reach those goals that you have for yourself."
As the countdown to The World Games 2025 begins, Austin Perkins is poised to showcase his best form on a global stage, inspiring fellow athletes and fans alike with his journey and achievements.
The International World Games Association (IWGA) is a non-profit-making international sports organisation recognised and supported by the International Olympic Committee. The IWGA comprises 40 International Member Sports Federations. It administers and promotes The World Games (TWG), a multi-sport event held every four years that features around 35 sports on its programme. The next edition of TWG will be in Chengdu (CHN) from 7-17 August 2025. 5,000 participants from more than 100 countries are expected to take part in this 12th edition. The latest Games were hosted by Birmingham, Alabama (USA).
For more information, please contact the IWGA Media and Communication team: [email protected], Tel: +41 21 311 12 97, or visit our website.
