9-Year-Old Lifts Massive Deadlift, Sparking Debate

Lucy Milgrim's impressive 180-pound lift at the Arnold Sports Festival has the internet divided.

Apr. 5, 2026 at 10:04am

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At just 9 years old, Lucy Milgrim deadlifted 180 pounds - three times her own body weight - at the Arnold Sports Festival in Columbus, Ohio. The video of her lift has gone viral, with some praising her strength and others expressing concerns about the physical demands on a child.

Why it matters

Lucy's feat has sparked a debate about the appropriateness of such intense strength training for a young child. While some see it as an impressive display of her natural abilities, others worry about the potential risks to her growth and development.

The details

Lucy, who weighs around 60 pounds, lifted the 180-pound weight in one clean motion at the Arnold Sports Festival. She trains multiple times a week and has already set three U.S. records through USA Powerlifting. Lucy got into weightlifting after watching her parents train at the gym, and she also competes in wrestling.

  • Lucy lifted the 180-pound weight at the Arnold Sports Festival in Columbus, Ohio on April 5, 2026.

The players

Lucy Milgrim

A 9-year-old powerlifter from New York who deadlifted 180 pounds, three times her own body weight, at the Arnold Sports Festival.

Brett Milgrim

Lucy's father, who is a coach and has brought her to wrestling practices since she was young.

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What they’re saying

“'My mom and dad, they were working out in the gym, and I saw them doing all this cool stuff, and I wanted to try it too.'”

— Lucy Milgrim

“'While impressive, I'm not sure this is a good thing for a 9-year-old to be doing.'”

— Anonymous commenter

What’s next

Lucy and her family have not publicly responded to the criticism surrounding her impressive lift. The debate over the appropriateness of such intense strength training for a child is likely to continue.

The takeaway

Lucy's viral lift has sparked an important discussion about the physical demands and potential risks of powerlifting for young children, even those with exceptional natural strength. As with any sport, there must be a balance between fostering a child's talents and ensuring their long-term health and development.