The bench press is one of the most difficult exercises for powerlifters today. The records that weightlifters are currently showing are truly grandiose.
Champions of the past
One of the undisputed champions of the past in this category is Paul Anderson. This is an American athlete who holds a world record. In 1955, he set several records at the world championship. The bench press was 182.5 kilograms. According to this indicator, he overtook the previous champion Hepburn by 14 kilograms. In 1956, he won the Olympic Games in this sport. The maximum result in this exercise was 284 kilograms. Paul Anderson is considered the father of powerlifting.
Another person who at one time set the absolute maximum indicator is Ryan Kennelly. He set the first world record for bench press in equipment. The result was 487.6 kilograms. After he retired from sports clubs and school, Ryan tried his hand at this sport. For the first time, lifting a barbell, he showed amazing results - he lifted a barbell weighing 96 kilograms. At 21, he could lift 180 kg from his chest, and very soon he set a world record. This indicator is still the maximum until it is beaten.
Modern record holder
One of the most famous in this sport is Scott Mendelssohn. Even before Ryan Kennelly, he was the undisputed champion in the equipment bench press. Then he lifted the maximum weight of 457.6 kilograms, but was soon bypassed. It should be noted that this bodybuilder several years ago did the almost impossible - he lifted a barbell weighing 324.5 kg without equipment. This is the best figure in recent years, which was recorded by the judges in May 2005.
Mendelssohn began to get involved in weightlifting from a young age, but began to practice professionally only from the age of 23. In 2007, he competed in the Las Vegas championship, and he managed to lift 300 kg. So far, no one has been able to get ahead of this athlete. Mendelssohn today works as a coach, teaches young weightlifters how to work with a barbell correctly.
Of great interest is the fact that before powerlifting he tried his hand at bodybuilding, but there his career was very poor due to the peculiarities of his physique. In addition, he was fond of boxing. Based on all this, we can say that in the entire history of the existence of this kind of sport there have been several records, while the current champion in the bench press without equipment is now the American Scott Mendelssohn.
