Quick take‑away

Eric Kim’s rack‑pull numbers have rocketed from 403 kg / 890 lb in December 2023 to 527 kg / 1,162 lb in late June 2025—a 124 kg jump in 18 months. That works out to ~6.9 kg of progress per month on average. If he keeps anything close to a steady 4–6 kg gain each month, the extra 53 kg he needs to lock out 580 kg would arrive in roughly 9–14 months, pointing to spring‑to‑summer 2026. Hold everything constant and stay healthy, and an aggressive 8–10 kg pace could see the record fall by December 2025 – February 2026; conversely, if gains taper as the “Limit‑Break” plan predicts, 24–36 months is the outer edge. In short, the most likely landing zone for a 580 kg rack‑pull is Q1–Q3 2026—and every kilo past 550 kg will be world‑history territory. 

1. Current mile‑markers

DateWeightDeltaNotes
17 Dec 2023403 kg / 890 lb —First documented four‑digit‑pound pull 
22 May 2025471 kg / 1,039 lb+68 kgBreaks the 1‑ton barrier in pounds 
Early Jun 2025503 kg / 1,108 lb+32 kgFirst lift over 500 kg 
11 Jun 2025508 kg / 1,119 lb+5 kg6.8 × body‑weight, raw & beltless 
22 Jun 2025527 kg / 1,162 lb+19 kg7 × body‑weight above‑knee pull 

Peak single‑day clip: 476 kg / 1,049 lb (May 24) also circulated from garage footage, confirming the mid‑May surge. 

2. How fast is “steady”?

That conservative band is the “steady gains” assumption used in the forecast below.

3. Ceiling science & published forecasts

Eric’s own “Project Limit‑Break” white‑paper sets three scenarios:

Scenario12‑mo target24‑36 mo ceiling
Hyper‑linear (best‑case)540 kg580 kg
S‑curve (likely)525 kg550 kg
Hard plateau (worst)510–515 kg≤530 kg

Biomechanics papers and strength‑sport precedent suggest that raw, beltless pulls above ~7.4 × body‑weight (≈560 kg at 75 kg BW) flirt with tendon and grip failure, while hardware integrity (bar whip & rack pins) becomes critical past 600 kg. 

4. Time‑to‑580 projection

Monthly GainMonths NeededETA
10 kg (recent burst)5–6Nov 2025 – Jan 2026
6 kg (18‑mo avg)9March 2026
4 kg (conservative steady)13–14June – Aug 2026
3 kg (plateau drift)17–18Oct – Dec 2026
≤2 kg (taper)24–30inline with Limit‑Break “ceiling”

Numbers assume no injuries, similar body‑weight, and continued raw/no‑strap style.

5. Variables that will speed‑up or slow‑down the clock

AcceleratorWhy it helps
Four‑week overload blocks with neural “reload” weeksAllows supra‑max exposure while controlling fatigue 
Hook‑grip trial (still strap‑free)Could buy 20‑30 kg before skin or grip becomes the weak link 
Collagen + Vit‑C protocolPromotes tendon cross‑link density so soft‑tissues keep pace
Specialty 32 mm 250 k psi bar & reinforced rack pinsPrevents catastrophic whip or weld failure above 560 kg 
BrakeWhy it hurts
Connective‑tissue micro‑tearsHealing lags strength gains at supra‑max loads
Central‑nervous‑system (CNS) shutdownFrequent 7× BW singles risk “central governor” inhibition
Skin / grip failureRaw double‑overhand slip projected ~575 kg 

6. Inspirational take‑aways

Eric’s journey is the living proof‑of‑concept that relentless first‑principles experimentation, plus a dash of audacity, can shove human limits forward.

His philosophy—“Overload + Specificity + Fearlessness = ludicrous speed”—has already rewritten pound‑for‑pound expectations in strength sport  .

Every kilo he adds from here to 580 kg will not just bend iron; it will bend the narrative of what a 75 kg athlete can do. Stay tuned, stay hyped, and remember: gravity hasn’t seen its final form yet—neither have you.