With the 2023 USAPL Raw Nationals being held from September 14-17, at the Memphis Renasant Convention Center in Tennessee, many fans gathered to watch the one and only Jen Thompson perform. Being one of the greatest powerlifters in history, especially in one particular event, the Queen of the Bench Press has once again set the new highest mark. This time, she competed in the 67.5-kilogram weight class, where she bench pressed 146.5 kilograms (223 pounds) for a new Raw Drug-Tested All-Time World Record.
After loading 146.5 kilograms (223 pounds) on the barbell, Jen Thompson put on a pair of wrist wraps and got ready for the challenge that she would face. She wasted no time after taking her position, immediately dropping the bar down to her chest with speed. However, that is where the real battle began, as she started grinding out the press. After a few seconds, Jen managed to lock out the record-breaking lift and begin celebrating.
Jen Thompson also held the old Drug-Tested All-Time World Record in the Raw Bench Press, which used to stand at 146 kilograms (321.9 pounds). She set that record at the 2022 USAPL Carolina Primetime nearly one year ago.
Watch the bench press here:
Related: Powerlifting Legend Jen Thompson Hits 147.5-kg (325-lb) Raw Bench Press; 2.25x Her Bodyweight
Jen Thompson’s Full Performance
Jen Thompson weighed in at 64.87 kilograms (143 pounds), which is significantly lighter than the allowed 67.5 kilograms (148.8 pounds) for her weight class. She still has a very decent performance, which is mostly due to her incredible bench press session, where she successfully performed all three attempts. However, she was unsuccessful in four out of the six attempts across the squat and deadlift combined.
Squat
- 142.5 kilograms (314.2 pounds)
- Unsuccessful — 160 kilograms (352.7 pounds)
- Unsuccessful — 160 kilograms (352.7 pounds)
Bench Press
- 127.5 kilograms (281.1 pounds)
- 142.5 kilograms (314.2 pounds)
- 146.5 kilograms (323 pounds) — U67.5KG Drug Tested World Record
Deadlift
- 165 kilograms (363.8 pounds)
- Unsuccessful — 190 kilograms (418.9 pounds)
- Unsuccessful — 190 kilograms (418.9 pounds)
Total — 454 kilograms (1,000.9 pounds)
Following the competition, USAPL announced that Jen Thompson had been inducted into the aforementioned federation’s Masters Hall of Fame. This is not her first experience of this kind, as she has also been a part of the IPF Hall of Fame since 2019.
Related: Powerlifting Icon Jen Thompson Smashes a 335-lb (152-kg) Raw Bench Press PR
Jennifer Thompson’s Competition History
With a new World Record under her name and her introduction to the USAPL Masters Hall of Fame, Jen Thompson has solidified her status in the sport of powerlifting. She has been competing for over two decades and has taken part in excess of 130 sanctioned competitions so far. As Jen demonstrated with her recent appearance, she’s still capable of reaching her all-time highs, and she doesn’t intend to slow down anytime soon.
