World Bench Press

Wisconsin powerlifters from the United States National Powerlifting Team brought home cheese this weekend from the world bench press championships in New Zealand. Two Wisconsin lifters were named champion of champions. Jim Ray, from Madison, won gold for men 50-59 (125+ kg.), breaking his existing world record, with a new world record of 603 lbs. Jim was named best male lifter for all men 50-59 based upon his world-record performance and his Wilks formula. I saw Jim set his first world record at the United States National Championships in Denver, back in November, 2007. So it was fun to see Jim increase the world record. Congratulations to Jim Ray. Dave Doan, a police officer from a rural town in central Wisconsin, won the 242 class (men age 40-49) with a lift of 600 lbs. Dave was named best male lifter for all men 40-49 based upon his Wilks formula. Dave is a quiet gentleman. Who would guess that two Wisconsin guys would sit halfway around the world in New Zealand and discuss mutual friends from Oshkosh. Robert Crawford won a bronze metal (125+ kg, Men 50-59), finishing third behind Jim Ray and Finish lifter Tuomo Lollo.