Strong Performances at the 2026 APO New Year’s Classic

Contributed by Staff.

The 2026 APO New Year’s Classic, held January 3 in South Windsor, Connecticut, brought together a range of lifters across weight classes, and equipment divisions, producing several standout performances.

The best Glossbrenner score (which determines the best lifter relative to bodyweight) and the heaviest overall total of the meet at 1,945.5 pounds belonged to Jake Leighton. Competing at over 300 pounds bodyweight, Leighton separated himself from the field with consistently strong lifts across all three disciplines, making his performance the most dominant.

While Leighton led on total, Jerry Peterson delivered one of the most impressive pound-for-pound performances of the meet. Weighing just under 200 pounds, Peterson totaled 1,686.5 pounds, yielding one of the highest total-to-bodyweight ratios in the competition at roughly 8.5 times bodyweight. His performance stood out as a model of efficiency and balance, particularly notable given the depth of competition in the middleweight classes.

Another strong all-around showing came from Conor Knox, who finished near the top of the overall standings with a total exceeding 1,830 pounds. Knox’s performance was a competitive strength-to-bodyweight ratio for a heavier lifter, reinforcing his position among the meet’s best performers.

In the women’s division, Emma White recorded the highest female total of the meet at approximately 1,135 pounds, showcasing strong squat and deadlift performances that anchored her total. Alex Johnson also delivered a notable performance, totaling just over 1,019 pounds at a lighter bodyweight, resulting in the strongest Glossbrenner score among the female competitors.

Several other lifters contributed to the meet’s depth with solid totals across divisions, including Matthew Fitzpatrick, Floyd McDonald, and Ryan Ginsberg, each posting competitive numbers within their respective classes and equipment categories.

Overall, the 2026 APO New Year’s Classic highlighted both ends of the strength spectrum, from big superheavyweight totals to exceptional pound-for-pound performances. The meet served as a strong early-season benchmark for lifters and coaches alike, emphasizing not only maximal strength but also efficiency and technical consistency across bodyweight classes.

This meet was organized by Eric Sirois.

2026 APO New Year’s Classic Results

Powerlifting.com meet coverage based on official results, event reporting, and on-site or published sources.