I appreciate the encouragement fellas. It feels a million miles away, BUT I also know that it is possible for me (if this, if that, etc).
When I started powerlifting, the raw classifications from the USPA at the time were that to do an Elite total, aka top 1% of the annual national average total in a weightclass, was just over 1,700 at 242 & 1,750 at 275 in knee sleeves. And this was easily the most thorough, accountable ranking system anyone ever put out for raw lifters, since the outdated standards published during the Multi-Ply equipped era.
Now in that 10 years, the talent pool has grown, more super freaks have emerged, and bigger ATWRs set, but as far as how much the national average has risen I’m not sure. Suffice to say, it’s probably a bit higher now.
But those totals do align with 450 DOTS score coefficients at their respective bodyweights, which is what you need to simply sign up for Powerlifting United’s Nationals without completing a dedicated Regionals qualifier (where the standards are much lower to earn a spot at Nationals). My last meet was something like a 430 DOTS, which I cut zero weight for & actually had a big meal/fluids directly prior.
It’s probably safe to say that 500 DOTS is probably the new meta for an objectively Elite total. And that would be awesome, but the original goal remains: break 1700 at 242, or 1750 at 275 in sleeves.