Relating to the bench press, solely one other lifter can match Julius Maddox’s distinctive mix of power and focus. On Might 10, 2022, the powerlifter confirmed once more why he is one of many high two bench pressers on the planet when he logged on a 361-kilogram (796-pound) bench press for a brand new PR. The mark surpasses his competitor’s better of 355 kilograms (782.6 kilos) from the 2021 WRPF Hybrid Showdown III – the present all-time world document – and is the second-heaviest bench press ever caught on digital camera.
[Related: How To Do The Bench Press For Chest Size And Upper-Body Strength]
This bench press is especially notable as a result of it places Maddox on the brink of historical past.
Whereas Maddox is the present world document holder, he has by no means accomplished an 800-pound bench press, whether or not in coaching or in a sanctioned competitors. The powerlifter had two earlier makes an attempt to achieve the towering mark – in June 2021 and June 2020 respectively – however did not lock out the rep each time.
In keeping with his Instagram submit, the powerlifter nonetheless has his eye on the bold prize.
“I’ve missed that weight greater than 10 occasions. Listening to my little women asking me once I’ll hit 800 kilos is sufficient for me to threat every little thing,” Maddox writes. “That is greater than a title for me. It is in regards to the lasting impression I go away on my kids and household. The occasions after they fall on onerous occasions and want some motivation!”
Motivating persistence
On the time of writing, just one individual, Daniel Zamani, has ever bench pressed 800 kilos. The Iranian athlete crushed a 365-kilogram (804.7-pound) uncooked bench press throughout a February 2022 coaching session. Zamani additionally donned a lifting belt and wrist wraps for his beautiful press.
Since Zamani’s character was created throughout coaching, it’s not the official document. Maddox and Zamani, particularly, have been scheduled to go head-to-head in a bench press battle for dominance at Iron Wars V 2022 in January, but it surely fell by means of for causes unknown.
Previous to this new one-rep PR, Maddox not too long ago accomplished a 318-kilogram (700-pound) bench press for a four-rep PR in late April 2022. Standing on the 800-pound entrance door just a few weeks later may do this imply he is not messing round making an attempt to notch that excellent efficiency. With Zamani leaving the door open for somebody to beat him to the 800lb mark in a sanctioned competitors, it looks as if Maddox has no time to waste.
Maddox has not introduced its subsequent competitors as of this writing. Nevertheless, primarily based on Maddox’s complete contest historical past, it would probably be an all bench press assembly. Extra importantly, it is in all probability the place he’ll search his £800 fame.
Featured picture: @irregular_strength on Instagram
