9-year-old Lucy Milgrim from New York State has become the star of viral videos after lifting a 180-pound (approx. 82 kilograms) barbell in front of a large audience. Weighing just 60 pounds (about 27 kilograms) herself, the girl lifts a load exceeding her body weight by three times. Footage of her performance has spread across social media, sparking a wide range of reactions—from admiration to fierce debates over how safe such heavy lifting is for a child of her age.
Record-Breaking Lift at the Arnold Sports Festival
The display that drew the most attention took place last month at the Arnold Sports Festival in Columbus, Ohio. At nine years old and weighing 60 pounds, Lucy lifted the 180-pound load off the floor in a single motion. This exact moment, captured by cameras and smartphones of spectators, served as the catalyst for her name going viral online. The footage shows the girl in a blue athletic outfit with a weightlifting belt confidently handling the barbell as festival-goers and participants applaud her achievement.
The Path to the Barbell: Family and Training
As the girl's father, Brett Milgrim, told People magazine, Lucy possessed natural physical strength from early childhood and noticeably stood out from her peers. According to him, her interest in sports began when her parents were working out at the gym, and little Lucy tried to imitate them. «Mom and dad were working out at the gym. Seeing them do various interesting exercises, I wanted to try it too», the young girl recalls. Her passion for wrestling is also family-tied: her father, a wrestling coach, took Lucy and her brother to training sessions, which is how she immersed herself in the sport.
Training Five Times a Week and Three US Records
Unlike most nine-year-olds, Lucy maintains a schedule close to that of a professional: she trains five times a week while simultaneously practicing competitive wrestling. Through USA Powerlifting, she has already set three US records. This systematic work and regular public performances led directly to the result shown at the Columbus festival, propelling her name into the mainstream news cycle.
Online Reaction: Praise and Health Concerns
The widespread sharing of videos showing Lucy lifting three times her body weight has brought more than just praise. Some social media users expressed concern that such intense training could negatively affect a child's health. One commenter noted that «her bones and muscles are still adapting to such loads», voicing fears of potential injuries. Another user pointed out that children's growth plates are not yet fully formed, emphasizing the need for extreme caution when handling heavy weights. So far, Lucy Milgrim herself has not publicly responded to the criticism on social media.
Conclusion: Results and the Young Athlete's Age
Lucy Milgrim's story clearly demonstrates how the achievements of young athletes become subjects of public debate. On one hand, her achievement—lifting an 82-kilogram barbell at a body weight of around 27 kilograms and setting three US records—is impressive and confirms a high level of preparation. On the other hand, the case raises questions once again about the balance between athletic ambitions and the safety of a child's body, reminding us that when evaluating young athletes' accomplishments, it is crucial to consider not only the results but also their age and the impact of the loads on their health.
