From Ukraine to the United States: Bohdan Mykhalyk wins back-to-back WPC World Cups

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho — For Ukrainian powerlifter Bohdan Mykhalyk, the road to becoming a two-time WPC World Cup winner has crossed countries, continents, and entirely different competitive environments.

His journey began in Ukraine, continued through Latvia, and eventually brought him to the United States. Through every relocation, one thing remained constant: powerlifting.

After moving to Latvia, Mykhalyk continued competing and began establishing himself on the European powerlifting scene.

In 2022, he took first place at the WPC Latvia Championship in the Junior 125 kg class. Later that year, he competed at the GPC World Championships in Slovakia, finishing second in the Junior 125 kg division.

His progress continued in 2023, when he became the Junior Absolute Champion at the GPC Latvia Championship.

At a bodyweight of 118.7 kg (262 lb), he totaled 797.5 kg (1,758 lb): a 322.5 kg (711 lb) squat, 175 kg (386 lb) bench press, and 300 kg (661 lb) deadlift.

He also earned another first-place finish while competing with WRPF Latvia.

His competitive career was gaining momentum in Europe, but another major change was ahead: Mykhalyk moved to the United States.

For a competitive athlete, relocating meant more than adapting to life in a new country. It meant entering a new powerlifting environment, facing unfamiliar competitors, and having to establish himself again.

On August 30, 2025, Mykhalyk stepped onto the platform at the WPC World Cup in the United States, competing in the Open 125 kg class.

He won.

At a bodyweight of 124.6 kg (275 lb), he recorded a 352.5 kg (777 lb) squat, 180 kg (397 lb) bench press, and 320 kg (705 lb) deadlift for a total of 852.5 kg (1,879 lb).

But one victory could still be viewed as one successful competition. The real test came one year later.

On September 2, 2026, Mykhalyk returned to the WPC World Cup as the defending champion. Once again competing in the Open 125 kg class, he won for the second consecutive year.

This time, the numbers told an even stronger story.

At a bodyweight of just 119.2 kg (263 lb), more than five kilograms lighter than the previous year, Mykhalyk recorded a 362.5 kg (799 lb) squat, 187.5 kg (413 lb) bench press, and 330 kg (728 lb) deadlift for an 880 kg (1,940 lb) total.

In approximately one year, he added 27.5 kg (61 lb) to his competition total while reducing his bodyweight by more than five kilograms.

The second victory transformed his first World Cup win into something more significant: a title successfully defended with measurable improvement.

Mykhalyk’s competitive journey has taken him from Ukraine to Latvia and from European junior competition to the Open division in the United States.

Through multiple relocations and the challenge of rebuilding his competitive presence in a new country, he continued progressing on the platform.

His first WPC World Cup in America ended with a victory. A year later, he returned with a lower bodyweight, a higher total, and another first-place finish.

Now a back-to-back WPC World Cup winner, Mykhalyk continues to train and compete in the United States while looking toward the next stage of his powerlifting career.

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