Rio's beachfront gyms buzzed Friday with awe and suspicion after US strongwoman Lacey Hodder shattered records, deadlifting 200 kg in a viral exhibition, but whispers of a doping probe cast shadows over the lift that lit up social feeds. Hodder, 28, from California, powered through the bar at a Copacabana pop-up event, crowd of 2,000 erupting as reps hit four—topping her 195 kg personal best. "Felt unbreakable today," Hodder panted, chalk-dusted hands raised, but post-lift tests flagged anomalies, per event organizer Bruno Costa.
Local iron faithful, from Ipanema's CrossFit dens to Lapa's hardcore holes, dissected footage: "Insane pull— but those veins scream gear," muttered veteran lifter João Mendes, 42, nursing a protein shake. The feat, streamed to 5 million globally, sparked #QuilosMortais frenzy, with Brazilian phenom Juliana Corrêa challenging: "Rio's ready—clean or not." WADA officials, tipped off, launched inquiries, echoing 2023's scandal that stripped three medals. Hodder's camp: "Clean as Copacabana sands—results soon."
In favelas where makeshift racks rule, kids like 15-year-old Sofia Ramos aped the form: "She shows girls can lift worlds." Economic ripple: Supplement sales spiked 20% at GNC outlets. Mendes: "Truth or tainted, it motivates." As probes probe, Hodder's haul hangs heavy—quilos mortais, indeed.
