50-YO Ielja Strik (84KG) Sets 132.5-kg (292.1-lb) Raw Bench Press Masters 2 IPF World Record

Ielja Strik further improved her previous World Record by 9.5 kilograms (20.9 pounds)

Vedad Tabakovic
By
Vedad Tabakovic
Vedad is a journalist specializing in strength sports, with three years of experience covering powerlifting, Olympic weightlifting, strongman, armwrestling and bodybuilding. He is a lifelong fitness...
| Updated by Tom Miller, CSCS
4 Min Read
Ielja Strik
Ielja Strik - Image credit @theipf Instagram

The 2023 IPF World Bench Press Championships took place from May 20-28, in Sun City, South Africa. In this competition, the world’s best bench pressers over the age of 40 competed. They were then separated into multiple age divisions depending on their exact age and the greatest women’s athlete in the Masters 2 (50 to 59 Years Old) age division turned out to be Ielja Strik. The Dutch representative, Ielja took part in the raw 84-kilogram weight class and set a new Masters 2 IPF World Record. She did so by bench pressing 132.5 kilograms (292.1 pounds), with nothing but a pair of wrist wraps to aid her.

Ielja Strik is a very seasoned powerlifting athlete, so it is no surprise that she is still one of the greatest bench pressers in the world. This status is now eternal since she set a very impressive world record. The previous World Record was also in her possession as she lifted 123 kilograms (271.2 pounds) at the 2023 KNKF-SP Subjunioren Junioren & Masters NK Bankdrukken Classic. However, she has now massively improved it.

Despite breaking the previous Masters 2 World Record Bench Press by a whooping 9.5 kilograms (20.9 pounds), Ielja Strik’s lift still looked extremely easy. Even Ielja herself revealed that she did not struggle at all.

“132.5 really was soooo easy”

Watch the lift here:

Related: Powerlifter Daiki Kodama (83KG) Breaks 33-Yo IPF Raw Bench World Record With 230.5-kg (508.2-lb) Press

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Ielja Strik has just recently turned 50-years-old, as her birthday was on March 25th. Furthermore, she has spent 22 years competing in powerlifting. However, she became an athlete way before her venture into powerlifting. Her first sport was gymnastics which she started at only 15-years-old. After some time had passed, Ielja grew love for bodybuilding and decided to try it out. Lifting heavy weights quickly became her passion. So, she realized that powerlifting was the right sport for her.

As a powerlifter, Ielja Strik took part in over a 100 sanctioned competitions and came out victorious in the majority of competitions. She has many notable victories, including World and National championships, as well as record for both her country and globe as well.

Ielja Strik’s Competition PRs

  • Squat: 210 kilograms (463 pounds) — (2014 KNKF-SP Dutch Classic Powerlifting Championships)
  • Bench Press: 145 kilograms (319.7 pounds) — (2021 KNKF-SP Subjunioren Junioren & Masters NK Bankdrukken Classic)
  • Deadlift: 210 kilograms (463 pounds) — (2021 KNKF-SP Open NK Powerliften Classic Dames)
  • Total: 557 kilograms (1,228 pounds) — (2021 KNKF-SP Open NK Powerliften Classic Dames)

Related: 72-YO Powerlifter Shelly Stettner Scores New Raw 265-lb Squat & 155-lb Bench Press All-Time PRs

Ielja Strik’s Competition History

Ielja Strik's Powerlifting History

Personal Bests

Equip Squat Bench Deadlift Total Dots
Raw 463.0 319.7 463.0 1,228.0 495.31
Single-ply 578.7 418.9 523.6 1,466.1 599.08

Competition Results

Details Place Fed Date Competition Division Total Dots
3 IPF May 22, 2026 World Classic & Equipped Bench Press Championships Open 281.1 117.92
1 KNKF-SP Feb 21, 2026 Subjunioren & Junioren & Masters NK Bankdrukken Masters 2 264.6 111.08
1 KNKF-SP Dec 13, 2025 Open NK Bankdrukken Open 286.6 120.47
3 EPF Sep 21, 2025 European Bench Press Championships Open 275.6 116.32
4 IPF May 17, 2025 World Classic & Equipped Bench Press Championships Open 270.1 113.44
1 KNKF-SP Oct 5, 2024 Open NK Bankdrukken Open 281.1 118.01
1 EPF Aug 4, 2024 European Bench Press Championships Open 292.1 122.66
2 IPF May 21, 2024 World Bench Press Championships Open 297.6 124.93
1 KNKF-SP Mar 2, 2024 Subjunioren & Junioren & Masters NK Bankdrukken Masters 2 275.6 115.51
1 KNKF-SP Sep 30, 2023 Open NK Bankdrukken Classic Open 275.6 115.96
2 EPF Jul 30, 2023 European Bench Press Championships Open 292.1 122.51
1 IPF May 19, 2023 World Classic & Equipped Bench Press Championships Masters 2 292.1 122.51
1 KNKF-SP Mar 11, 2023 Subjunioren Junioren & Masters NK Bankdrukken Classic Masters 2 271.2 111.60
2 KNKF-SP Feb 24, 2023 Open NK Powerliften Open 1,096.8 451.32
1 KNKF-SP Dec 2, 2022 Odin Cup Open 1,129.9 463.63
1 KNKF-SP Sep 17, 2022 Open NK Bankdrukken Classic Open 281.1 116.03
DQ IPF Jul 7, 2022 World Games Super - -
1 KNKF-SP Mar 4, 2022 Subjunioren & Junioren & Masters NK Bankdrukken Classic Masters 1 303.1 123.92
4 IPF Nov 7, 2021 World Powerlifting Championships Open 1,388.9 562.91
1 KNKF-SP Nov 6, 2021 Open NK Bankdrukken Classic Open 308.6 124.69
1 IPF Oct 21, 2021 World Bench Press Championships Open 407.9 165.26
1 EPF Aug 2, 2021 European Open Juniors & Sub-Juniors Powerlifting Championships Open 1,388.9 564.68
1 KNKF-SP Jul 3, 2021 NK Bankdrukken Equipped Open 374.8 152.16
1 KNKF-SP Jul 2, 2021 Subjunioren Junioren & Masters NK Bankdrukken Classic Masters 1 319.7 129.63
1 KNKF-SP May 21, 2021 Open NK Powerliften Classic Dames Open 1,228.0 492.95
1 KNKF-SP Sep 5, 2020 Dutch Classic Bench Press Championships Open 310.9 126.91
DQ KNKF-SP Feb 22, 2020 Dutch Equipped Powerlifting Championships Open - -
1 EPF Nov 28, 2019 European Classic Powerlifting Championships Open 1,174.0 490.68
1 KNKF-SP Aug 31, 2019 Dutch Classic Bench Press Championships Masters 1 275.6 114.13
1 EPF Aug 6, 2019 European Classic Bench Press Championships Open 281.1 117.73
3 IPF Jun 3, 2019 World Classic Powerlifting Championships Open 1,146.4 479.70
5 IPF May 17, 2019 World Bench Press Championships Open 374.8 156.85
2 IPF May 17, 2019 World Bench Press Championships Open 286.6 119.99
1 KNKF-SP Apr 6, 2019 TOPFIT Bench Press Classic Cup Masters 1 286.6 120.31
1 KNKF-SP Mar 22, 2019 Dutch Classic Powerlifting Championships Masters 1 1,129.9 472.52
1 EPF Nov 23, 2018 European Classic Powerlifting Championships Open 1,124.4 471.15
4 EPF Oct 8, 2018 European Bench Press Championships Open 391.3 163.88
1 KNKF-SP Sep 1, 2018 Dutch Classic Bench Press Championships Masters 1 303.1 126.95
3 IPF Jun 5, 2018 World Classic Powerlifting Championships Open 1,174.0 491.60
2 IPF Apr 22, 2018 World Bench Press Championships Open 374.8 156.83
DQ KNKF-SP Mar 24, 2018 Dutch Equipped Bench Press Championships Open - -
1 KNKF-SP Dec 8, 2017 Dutch Classic Powerlifting Championships Open 1,178.4 493.48
4 IPF Jul 23, 2017 World Games SuperHeavy 1,411.0 587.25
1 IPF Jun 13, 2017 World Classic Powerlifting Championships Open 1,179.5 494.42
3 IPF May 21, 2017 World Bench Press Championships Open 385.8 161.72
1 KNKF-SP Mar 25, 2017 Dutch Equipped Bench Press Championships Open 374.8 156.69
1 EPF Mar 11, 2017 European Classic Powerlifting Championships Open 1,185.0 495.31
1 KNKF-SP Dec 10, 2016 Dutch Classic Powerlifting Championships Open 1,147.5 474.19
2 IPF Nov 13, 2016 World Open Championships Open 1,388.9 580.49
1 KNKF-SP Sep 17, 2016 Dutch Classic Bench Press Championships Open 292.1 119.20
2 IPF Jun 18, 2016 World Classic Powerlifting Championships Open 1,162.9 486.32
1 KNKF-SP May 21, 2016 Dutch Juniors & Masters Equipped Championships & Open Powerlifting Open 1,245.6 521.37
DQ IPF Apr 18, 2016 World Bench Press Championships Open - -
1 KNKF-SP Mar 19, 2016 Dutch Equipped Bench Press Championships Masters 1 385.8 161.16
1 EPF Mar 4, 2016 European Classic Powerlifting Championships Open 1,127.7 471.59
1 KNKF-SP Nov 21, 2015 Dutch Equipped Bench Press Championships Open 396.8 166.00
2 IPF Sep 27, 2015 World Masters Powerlifting Championships Masters 1 1,411.0 589.90
1 KNKF-SP Sep 19, 2015 Dutch Classic Bench Press Championships Open 303.1 124.60
1 EPF Aug 5, 2015 European Open Bench Press Championships Open 407.9 170.49
1 IPF Jun 4, 2015 World Classic Powerlifting Championships Open 1,154.1 482.49
1 IPF May 19, 2015 World Bench Press Championships Open 418.9 175.07
1 EPF Mar 20, 2015 1st European Women's Classic Championships Open 1,148.6 480.19
1 KRAFT Jan 16, 2015 Íslandsmeistaramót í bekkpressu-RIG Open 352.7 144.34
1 KNKF-SP Dec 5, 2014 Dutch Classic Powerlifting Championships Open 1,157.4 474.87
3 IPF Nov 2, 2014 World Powerlifting Championships Open 1,416.5 592.54
1 EPF Oct 15, 2014 European Masters Bench Press Championships Masters 1 396.8 165.90
DQ IPF Sep 20, 2014 World Masters Powerlifting Championships Masters 1 - -
1 EPF Aug 6, 2014 European Open Bench Press Championships Open 374.8 156.77
1 IPF May 31, 2014 World Classic Powerlifting Championships Open 1,129.9 474.28
1 IPF May 19, 2014 World Bench Press Championships Open 407.9 170.83
1 KNKF-SP Apr 22, 2014 Dutch Equipped Bench Championships Masters 1 399.0 167.12
1 IPF Apr 16, 2014 World Masters Bench Press Championships Masters 1 380.3 158.95
1 IPF Nov 3, 2013 World Powerlifting Championships Open 1,422.0 596.66
1 EPF Oct 16, 2013 European Masters Bench Press Championships Masters 1 397.9 166.37
1 EPF Aug 7, 2013 European Open Bench Press Championship Open 363.8 152.17
2 IPF Jul 29, 2013 World Games Super 1,427.5 593.66
1 IPF Jun 10, 2013 World Classic Powerlifting Championships Open 1,169.6 489.67
1 IPF May 19, 2013 World Bench Press Championships Open 396.8 165.82
1 EPF May 6, 2013 European Open Powerlifting Championships Open 1,422.0 595.50
1 IPF Apr 17, 2013 World Masters Bench Press Championships Masters 1 388.0 162.17
1 NPB Mar 23, 2013 Dutch Equipped Bench Press Championships Open 380.3 158.91
5 NAPF Mar 2, 2013 Titan Pro Bench Bash Open 385.8 160.13
1 NPB Feb 23, 2013 Dutch Equipped Powerlifting Championships Open 1,422.0 -
2 IPF Nov 9, 2012 World Powerlifting Championships Open 1,405.4 588.10
2 EPF Aug 8, 2012 European Open Bench Press Championships Open 369.3 154.58
1 IPF Jun 11, 2012 World Classic Powerlifting Cup Open 1,179.5 494.11
1 IPF May 20, 2012 World Bench Press Championships Open 374.8 156.65
1 EPF May 7, 2012 European Open Powerlifting Championships Open 1,416.5 593.22
1 NPB Feb 25, 2012 Dutch Equipped Powerlifting Championships Open 1,399.9 585.96
2 IPF Nov 7, 2011 World Powerlifting Championships Open 1,411.0 591.46
1 EPF Sep 15, 2011 Western European Powerlifting Championships Open 1,394.4 582.99
3 EPF Aug 3, 2011 European Open Bench Press Championships Open 358.3 149.58
4 IPF May 24, 2011 World Bench Press Championships Open 358.3 149.78
3 EPF May 2, 2011 European Powerlifting Championships Open 1,344.8 562.63
1 FIPL Dec 3, 2010 Campionato di Panca Open 358.3 148.12
2 IPF Nov 6, 2010 World Powerlifting Championships Open 1,416.5 579.96
1 EPF Sep 23, 2010 Western European Powerlifting Championships Open 1,438.5 584.97
1 EPF Aug 11, 2010 European Open Bench Press Championships Open 380.3 154.79
1 IPF May 23, 2010 World Bench Press Championships Open 385.8 156.79
1 EPF May 3, 2010 European Open Powerlifting Championships Open 1,456.2 593.13
1 NPB Mar 12, 2010 Dutch Bench Press Championships Open 403.4 163.80
1 NPB Feb 27, 2010 Dutch Powerlifting Championships Open 1,422.0 578.47
2 IPF Nov 1, 2009 World Powerlifting Championships Open 1,433.0 587.04
1 EPF Aug 5, 2009 European Bench Press Championships Open 358.3 146.56
DQ IPF Jul 24, 2009 World Games Super - -
1 IPF May 26, 2009 World Bench Press Championships Open 374.8 152.65
1 EPF May 4, 2009 European Powerlifting Championships Open 1,411.0 574.57
1 NPB Mar 14, 2009 Dutch Powerlifting Championships Open 1,466.1 597.62
1 IPF Oct 29, 2008 World Powerlifting Championships Open 1,444.0 588.88
1 EPF Sep 18, 2008 Western European Cup Open 1,449.5 591.18
1 EPF Aug 6, 2008 European Bench Press Championships Open 374.8 152.54
1 IPF Jun 24, 2008 World Bench Press Championships Open 380.3 154.32
1 EPF May 5, 2008 European Powerlifting Championships Open 1,438.5 585.20
1 NPB Mar 29, 2008 Dutch Powerlifting Championships Open 1,438.5 586.99
3 NAPF Mar 1, 2008 Arnold International Pro Bench Open 402.3 163.35
1 IPF Oct 13, 2007 World Powerlifting Championships Open 1,460.6 599.08
1 EPF Sep 21, 2007 Western European Cup Open 1,455.0 595.57
1 EPF Aug 21, 2007 European Bench Press Championships Open 385.8 158.00
1 IPF May 28, 2007 World Bench Press Championships Open 374.8 153.18
1 EPF May 7, 2007 European Powerlifting Championships Open 1,427.5 585.21
1 NPB Apr 28, 2007 Dutch Bench Press Championships Open 385.8 157.59
1 NPB Mar 17, 2007 Dutch Powerlifting Championships Open 1,399.9 575.42
1 IPF Nov 4, 2006 World Powerlifting Championships Open 1,411.0 578.43
1 EPF Sep 19, 2006 Western European Cup Open 1,438.5 588.29
1 NPB Sep 4, 2006 Dutch Bench Press Championships Open 389.1 160.02
1 EPF Aug 9, 2006 European Bench Press Championships Open 385.8 159.09
1 IPF May 22, 2006 World Bench Press Championships Open 391.3 161.15
1 EPF May 8, 2006 European Powerlifting Championships Open 1,416.5 583.14
1 NPB Mar 25, 2006 Dutch Powerlifting Championships Open 1,366.9 564.84
4 EPF Nov 23, 2005 Women's European Powerlifting Championships Open 1,372.4 563.94
1 EPF Sep 21, 2005 European Bench Press Championships Open 374.8 155.04
6 IPF Jul 13, 2005 World Games Heavy 1,372.4 568.20
2 IPF May 25, 2005 Women's World Powerlifting Championships Open 1,300.7 548.24
1 NPB Apr 30, 2005 Dutch Bench Press Championships Open 358.3 149.19
1 NPB Mar 19, 2005 Dutch Powerlifting Championships Open 1,300.7 552.02
1 IPF Jan 11, 2005 World Open Bench Press Championships Open 358.3 148.12
1 IPF Dec 1, 2004 World Bench Press Championships Open 330.7 138.98
2 EPF Nov 25, 2004 Women's European Powerlifting Championships Open 1,278.7 539.90
1 NPB Sep 18, 2004 North Dutch A-Class Powerlifting Championships Open 1,306.2 545.19
1 EPF Aug 4, 2004 European Bench Press Championships Open 330.7 139.06
3 IPF May 2, 2004 Women's World Powerlifting Championships Open 1,322.8 559.02
1 NPB May 1, 2004 Dutch Bench Press Championships Open 336.2 141.37
3 IPF Dec 4, 2003 World Bench Press Championships Open 308.6 130.71
3 EPF Nov 27, 2003 Women's European Powerlifting Championships Open 1,311.7 544.44
1 NPB Sep 20, 2003 North Dutch A-Class Powerlifting Championships Open 1,273.2 543.47
5 IPF May 21, 2003 Women's World Powerlifting Championships Open 1,229.1 517.74
1 NPB May 3, 2003 Dutch Bench Press Championships Open 297.6 126.27
1 NPB Mar 22, 2003 Dutch Powerlifting Championships Open 1,223.6 512.43
3 IPF Dec 4, 2002 World Bench Press Championships Open 292.1 123.86
2 EPF Nov 28, 2002 Women's European Powerlifting Championships Open 1,256.6 530.91
1 NPB Oct 5, 2002 North Dutch Women Powerlifting Championships Open 1,174.0 493.08
3 EPF Aug 22, 2002 European Bench Press Championships Open 292.1 124.42
1 EPF Jul 19, 2002 European-Union Cup Open 1,190.5 503.87
5 IPF May 28, 2002 Women's World Powerlifting Championships Open 1,179.5 494.25
1 NPB May 4, 2002 Dutch Bench Press Championships Open 275.6 115.61
1 NPB Mar 23, 2002 Dutch Powerlifting Championships Open 1,185.0 494.86
3 IPF Dec 6, 2001 World Bench Press Championships Open 297.6 126.12
4 EPF Aug 9, 2001 European Bench Press Championships Open 281.1 117.52
5 IPF May 23, 2001 Women's World Powerlifting Championships Open 1,074.8 454.61
1 NPB May 5, 2001 Dutch Bench Press Championships Open 264.6 110.42
1 NPB Mar 31, 2001 Dutch Powerlifting Championships Open 1,047.2 442.16

Data source: OpenPowerlifting. Data through July 19, 2026.

Ielja Strik has expressed her joy for the win and the World Record on Instagram. So, it seems that she is looking forward to achieving some more stuff in the future. Even at 50-years-old, Ielja is still making massive improvements and setting records with ease. Although it is not clear what her next goal is for the future, Ielja will continue to impress everyone for many years to come.

Athletes Mentioned in This Article


If you have any questions or need further clarification about this news, please leave a comment below, and Vedad will get back to you as soon as possible.

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Vedad is a journalist specializing in strength sports, with three years of experience covering powerlifting, Olympic weightlifting, strongman, armwrestling and bodybuilding. He is a lifelong fitness enthusiast, passionate about all aspects of strength training. Vedad's in-depth knowledge of training methodologies and dedication to constant research fuel his insightful and engaging reporting. He works hard to deliver accurate content while continuously seeking to improve his craft.
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