After years of training, the normal gym visitor is as happy as Bolle when the magical 100 kilograms are finally lifted with the bench press. Will Barotti is a professional powerlifter and presses multiples of it. Now he has set a world record in the bench press (“Equipped”).
Powerlifting is all about heavy guys and even heavier weights. Anyone who thinks of this sport knows names like Hafþór Júlíus «Thor» Björnsson, Eddie Hall or Larry Wheels. Will Barotti is the new rising talent in powerlifting – and with good reason…
World Record Bench Press “Equipped”
The 35-year-old set a world record in the «bench press equipped» a few days ago. As the name suggests, this is one supported form of the bench press. In contrast to the raw, i.e. the powerlifting without support, performance-enhancing accessories are allowed. These include belts, bandages or suits that support the athlete during the exercise. However, the regulations vary from association to association. One searches in vain for a clear and, above all, uniform definition of the term “raw”.
Tiny Meeker held the old world record for almost a decade. Now Will Barotti has cracked it and surpassed it with 2.3 kilograms. At the «Power Wars competition» in New York, he lifted an unbelievable 501.2 kilograms. The same weight that world deadlift record holder Hafþór Björnsson lifted, as some news portals mention in their coverage of Will Barotti. What is clear, however, is that apples are being compared with pears here.
Because: Hafþór Björnsson was able to manage his record without support. For comparison: The current world record in the bench press Raw is “only” 337 kilograms. Even without a comparison to the muscle mountain from «Game of Thrones», Will Barotti’s performance remains impressive and gives hope for further records.