A man from St. John's now holds the world record in his age and weight class for squatting the weight equivalent of a female moose.

Josh Hancott, 19, competed on a world stage last week in the Raw Challenge, a U.S. powerlifting competition that was created by Arnold Schwarzenegger.

"This was my first international lift, so there was a lot of nerves there — I didn't know what it would be like," Hancott said.

Hancott has been training as a powerlifter for just over two years, but has earned some significant awards in that time.

"Since I've started competing, I've broken 18 national records and one world record," he said.

"At this meet alone, I broke eight national records, I believe, and the world record squat."

Hancott squatted a total of 529 pounds, or about 240 kilograms.

Family excited

He said his dad, who first got him into powerlifting, was in the stands to cheer him on.

"I just ran out there anyway to see him and he gave me a big hug," Hancott said.

"Him and one of my best friends were out in the stands watching and apparently, when I got it, I couldn't see this, but apparently they just jumped up and just ran and hugged each other, they were that happy for me."

Hancott also had an opportunity to meet one of his idols at the competition.

"I met Ed Coan — he's the greatest powerlifter of all time," Hancott said. “I met him in the same day, actually, that I broke a world record.”

Hancott said he hopes to represent Canada at the International Powerlifting Federation world championships next year.