Raising the Bar: The Queensland Kid Who Just Lifted History
By The Queenslander Staff
There is a new world champion walking the streets of the Sunshine Coast, and he’s only nine years old.
Jackson, a determined young athlete from Twin Waters, has officially smashed the Kids World Record for the heaviest deadlift in his age category. In a display of incredible strength and focus, Jackson successfully lifted a staggering 80kg—completely obliterating the previous record of 72kg held by a boy in the United States.
It is a massive achievement for a nine-year-old, but for Jackson, this record represents much more than just numbers on a barbell. It is a story of resilience, hard work, and finding self-belief.
While the record is impressive, Jackson’s motivation for stepping into the gym is even more inspiring. Like many kids, he faced challenges at school that knocked his self-esteem.
“I was getting bullied at school, so this was a great distraction for me,” Jackson explained. “It helped me get my confidence back and push myself to be the best version of me.”
That drive to rebuild his confidence turned into a specific goal early last year. “I woke up and thought, ‘I want to beat the record on Kids World Records,'” he said. “To actually achieve that feels amazing.”
Records aren’t broken overnight. Jackson has been training dedicatedly at Youth Peak Performance, working on his general fitness and technique under careful supervision.
While he loves using the rowing machine and lifting weights, he admits that not every moment is fun. “I find it really challenging doing Russian twists and lunges, but it’s just something I have to do.”
When the moment finally came to attempt the 80kg lift, the hard work paid off.
“I felt so happy, excited, and amazed at myself,” Jackson said of the moment he realized he was the new world record holder. “I couldn’t believe it.”
The reaction from his friends and the local community has been huge. His classmates were reportedly “super impressed and shocked,” and his achievement is already inspiring other local families to get active.
Despite his superhuman strength, Jackson is still a typical Queensland kid. When he isn’t training, you can find him flying RC planes, wakeboarding, riding motorbikes, playing footy, or just hanging out with his mates.
Jackson isn’t planning on slowing down anytime soon. With the 9-year-old record safely in his pocket, he already has his eyes on the next prize: beating the deadlift record for the 10-12 year old boys category.
For other kids across Queensland who might be facing a tough time or want to try something new, the world champ has some simple advice:
“Have fun with it and try your best. If I can do it, you can too!”
Congratulations, Jackson! The whole state is cheering you on.
