In 2023, powerlifter Vladimir Shmondenko took the internet by storm after out lifting everyone in the gym. The 171 lbs Ukrainian dressed up as a janitor, interrupted people between sets, and causally threw around three to four times his body weight. Now, Shmondenko, aka. Anatoly is once again pranking people into believing that he isn’t strong.
The fact that Anatoly weighs only 171 lbs works in his favor. While the elite powerlifter has ample muscle, he wears a slightly oversized blue costume when dressing up as the cleaner. Shmondenko also blends in, carrying cleaning. However, the final embellishment to Anatoly’s disguise is that he deliberately makes his voice high-pitched. Despite his viral popularity, the powerlifter’s latest video proves that his disguise still holds up.
The powerlifter approaches the strongest people in the gym
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In the latest YouTube video, the janitor approached multiple people in a public gym. Anatoly inconspicuously approached people who were lifting the heaviest weights. The powerlifter politely asked everyone if he could take a swing at lifting their weight.
After convincing everyone that he was a novice, Anatoly shocked the gymgoers. The powerlifter needed one hand to lift the weights. Two of the biggest lifters he approached initially warned him that they were deadlifting 210 kg (462 lb). However, it wasn’t a challenge for the janitor.
While he might dress up to make himself look weak, the 171 lbs powerlifter squats 462 lbs and deadlifts 692 lbs. Everyone felt shocked when Anatoly arrived on the scene in 2023. However, today, those who know see it from the powerlifter’s perspective.
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The fitness community is in on the prank
“Bro destroying everybody’s ego. Not only is bro a menace but he is also an inspiration,” wrote one fan. “The BEST CLEANER in the WORLD in cleaning Egos!!!! The guy is SO humble and a freak of nature!” wrote another fan. One fan explained how Anatoly gets the drop on people.
“The slimming coveralls make him seem weak, but nothing sells it like the high-pitched voice,” wrote one fan. One fan commented on the guy who warned the powerlifter about deadlifting 462 lbs. “Big guy has just been humbled by a cleaner,” wrote the fan. Another fan echoed a similar sentiment. “Everyone is a heavyweight champion until Anatoly comes and says, ‘Can I clean here?””
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On the surface, it might seem like the powerlifter is just out there to make people laugh. However, Anatoly also teaches people that you shouldn’t judge a person’s strength based on appearance.