Brazilian powerlifter Renata Touma has addressed a competition mishap that went viral after she appeared to lose control of her bladder while attempting to lift more than 424 pounds.
Keep reading to know more.
The incident took place on October 17 at the Copa SP de Levantamento Terra in São Paulo, Brazil.
Footage shared by Renata Touma herself shows the athlete gripping a loaded barbell and attempting to pull it off the floor. As she strains under the weight, drops of liquid can be seen spilling onto the platform.
Touma was unable to complete the lift, and the clip quickly circulated online, prompting a mix of jokes, criticism, and messages of support.
One person wrote, “I feel so bad for her.”
Another person wrote, “Hope yall know this is extremely normal for women when lifting like this like grow up,” pointing out that this was not something completely abnormal.
Touma is a Brazilian nutritionist, personal trainer, and professional powerlifter with more than 44,000 followers on Instagram. She was competing in the 150-pound division when the incident occurred.
Rather than keeping the footage private, she chose to share it with her followers, using the experience to discuss the demands of competitive lifting and how athletes respond when things do not go according to plan.
Renata Touma Was Attempting A Deadlift Of More Than 424 Pounds
For those unfamiliar with powerlifting, the sport revolves around three main exercises: the squat, bench press, and deadlift.
During a deadlift, competitors must raise a loaded barbell from the floor until they are standing upright, with their knees and hips fully extended.
Touma was attempting to lift 192.5 kilograms, equivalent to approximately 424 pounds.
The footage shows her approaching the bar, setting her stance, and beginning the lift. As she attempts to raise the weight, her body visibly strains and liquid begins falling onto the platform.
She ultimately fails to complete the movement.
However, Touma did not simply delete the video or avoid discussing what happened. Instead, she shared the footage publicly and reflected on the decisions athletes make while competing.
“Strength isn’t just about the weight you lift,” she wrote. “It’s also about the decisions you make, the discipline you build and how you respond to challenges.”
She added, “You can’t control everything that happens. But you can decide what to do with what is within your reach.”
The Viral Footage Prompted Jokes And Criticism Online
After the video began circulating, many social media users focused on the accident rather than the lift itself. Some comments were quite cruel.
One person wrote, “Do they get extra points for p***ing” while another added, “Lift – 20% , Pee – 80%”
While some viewers treated the incident as an opportunity for humor, others defended Touma and pointed out that involuntary urine leakage can occur during strenuous exercise.
The discussion also brought attention to a problem that some female powerlifters experience when lifting extremely heavy weights.
The condition is known as stress urinary incontinence, which occurs when physical pressure on the bladder causes involuntary urine leakage.
Despite its name, the condition is not necessarily related to psychological stress.
Heavy lifting can significantly increase pressure inside the abdomen, placing additional demands on the pelvic floor muscles that help support the bladder and control urination.
When that pressure exceeds the pelvic floor’s ability to maintain control, leakage can occur.
Research Suggests Bladder Leakage Is Not Uncommon Among Female Powerlifters
Touma’s experience is not unique to competitive strength sports.
A 2026 study involving 1,072 female powerlifters found that 67.3% of participants reported experiencing stress urinary incontinence while lifting at least once.
Deadlifts were among the exercises associated with the problem, with 58.9% of those surveyed reporting leakage during the movement.
The findings suggest that bladder leakage is a relevant issue for many women participating in powerlifting, although the figures reflect the specific group surveyed and do not necessarily represent every female athlete.
The condition can also occur during other activities that place pressure on the pelvic floor, including running, jumping, and certain forms of strength training.
Factors such as pelvic floor function, individual anatomy, and the physical demands of an exercise can influence whether leakage occurs.
Experiencing it does not automatically mean an athlete is doing something incorrectly, and persistent or concerning symptoms can be discussed with a healthcare professional.
Touma Says She Plans To Attempt An Even Heavier Lift
Despite the attention surrounding the incident, Touma has indicated that she intends to continue competing.
In follow-up posts after the October 17 event, she reflected on how far she had progressed as a powerlifter, explaining that the weight she had attempted once seemed like a distant goal.
“What was once a dream is now my third attempt,” she said.
Rather than treating the unsuccessful lift as the end of her progress, Touma suggested that she intends to increase the weight at her next competition.
“And I promise that, in the next competition, that number will go up and I’ll manage to complete it!” she added.
Her comments indicate that she remains focused on improving her performance, despite the unexpected attention the incident brought.
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