Jimmy Kolb Hits Heaviest Lift In Powerlifting With 635.5-kg (1,401-lb) Equipped Bench Press at 2023 IPA Tri-Star Bash

Jimmy Kolb’s new equipped bench press World Record is heavier than any lift in powerlifting across all three events.

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
5 Min Read
Jimmy Kolb
Jimmy Kolb - Image credit @Kolbstrong Instagram

There have not been many athletes in any sport as dominant as Jimmy Kolb is in the Equipped Bench Press event. In addition, he has once again improved upon his own World Record, thus discouraging anyone who is hoping to catch up with him. His new historic feat of strength was made at the 2023 IPA Tri-Star Bash, which took place on July 29th, in Elizabethton, TN. Jimmy only had one goal going into the competition, and that was to land a 635.5-kilogram (1,401-pound) equipped bench press. Jimmy, fully aware of his capabilities, carefully selected the perfect target and accomplished the remarkable feat of setting the Heaviest Lift in Powerlifting History.

Jimmy Kolb decided to go all out from his first attempt, and decided to immediately try to bench press 635.5 kilograms (1,401 pounds). However, he was not successful in his first, or second, attempts. With everything on the line, Jimmy stayed calm and collected, ultimately finding success on his final attempt.

The previous All-Time Equipped Bench Press World Record was also held by Jimmy Kolb. It stood at 612.5 kilograms (1,350.3 pounds), which Jimmy achieved at the 2023 IPA Hillbilly Havoc. This World Record was also the Heaviest Lift In Powerlifting. So, with his new bench press of 635.5 kilograms (1,401 pounds), Jimmy further advanced both aforementioned achievements.

Watch the lift from two angles here:

Angle One

Angle Two

Related: Powerlifter Jimmy Kolb Smashed A 405 lbs Raw Bench Press With Insane 20 Reps

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Some people are not fans of the Equipped Bench Press event because of the custom “shirts” that the athletes wear. However, other events in powerlifting, such as squats and deadlifts, also have equipped divisions where athletes use special-made suits to help them lift significantly more weight. Still, the World Records in those events are nowhere near close to Jimmy Kolb’s 635.5-kilogram (1,401-pound) Equipped Bench Press.

*Note: These achievements are only regarding the sport of powerlifting. This is because other sports, such as Strongman, have different rules and regulations.

Even other powerlifters who are Equipped Bench Press specialists are not able to rival Jimmy Kolb, proving just how incredible he is. In fact, Jimmy Kolb is the first and only man to reach the 1,200-lb / 1,300-lb/ and now 1,400-lb milestones in the Equipped Bench Press.

For reference, the next heaviest equipped bench press after Jimmy Kolb belongs to Will Barotti, who locked out 521.6 kilograms (1,150 pounds). So, Jimmy is in the lead by exactly 113.9 kilograms (251 pounds).

Jimmy Kolb has been competing in powerlifting since 2009, and the equipped bench press has always been his main focus. He has taken part in over 51 sanctioned competitions so far and won 42 of them.

Jimmy Kolb’s Competition PRs

  • Squat (Equipped): 410 kilograms (903.9 pounds)
  • Bench Press (Equipped): 635.5 kilograms (1,401 pounds) — Heaviest Lift In Powerlifting History & ATWR
  • Deadlift (Equipped): 317.5 kilograms (700 pounds)
  • Total (Equipped): 1,093.1 kilograms (2,410 pounds)

Related: Powerlifter Jimmy Kolb Hits 865 lbs Floor Press For 3 Reps

Jimmy Kolb’s Competition History

Jimmy Kolb's Powerlifting History

Personal Bests

Equip Squat Bench Deadlift Total Dots
Unlimited 165.0 1,452.8 145.0 1,510.0 373.23
Single-ply - 1,120.0 644.9 1,179.5 329.93
Multi-ply 903.9 1,035.0 700.0 2,410.0 672.86
Wraps 644.9 451.9 600.8 1,664.5 457.11

Competition Results

Details Place Fed Date Competition Division Total Dots
1 APF Jul 10, 2026 Summer Heat M_OEM_APF 1,350.0 337.18
1 USPC Jun 6, 2025 Sonny Comly 3rd Annual Memorial Meet TOpen 1,452.8 354.96
1 IPA Jul 22, 2023 Tri Star Bash Amateur Open 1,401.0 342.11
1 IPA Feb 3, 2023 Hillbilly Havoc Pro Open 1,350.3 330.39
1 IPA Jul 15, 2022 814 Strength Spectacular Amateur Open 1,510.0 373.23
1 IPA May 13, 2022 World Championships & Baddest Bencher Amateur Open 1,273.2 312.54
1 WPC Mar 25, 2022 WPO Bench Bash M_OEM_WPC 1,140.9 -
1 IPA Feb 25, 2022 State Championships Pro Open 1,320.0 326.23
1 RPS Jul 23, 2021 Pennsylvania States Pro Open 1,060.0 262.32
1 IPA Jun 25, 2021 Strength Spectacular Pro Open 1,120.0 281.31
1 IPA Mar 19, 2021 Bench Press & Deadlift Worlds Pro Open 1,080.3 267.01
1 RPS Jan 30, 2021 NJ and North American Championships Elite Open 1,050.0 265.69
1 IPA Feb 28, 2020 PA State Powerlifting Championships Pro Open 1,035.0 266.77
DQ RPS Dec 6, 2019 Christmas Carnage 15 Elite Open - -
DQ USPA Jun 7, 2019 Virginia is for Lifters Open - -
DQ USPA Apr 12, 2019 The Battle XXII Open - -
1 IPL Jul 27, 2018 Drug Tested Virginia Commonwealth Games Open 1,664.5 457.11
DQ XPC Mar 5, 2015 Finals HW - -
DQ WPC Jul 18, 2014 CanAm Bench Press Championship M_OEM_WPC - -
1 XPC Feb 28, 2014 Arnold Multiply Finals HW 950.0 258.33
1 RPS Oct 5, 2013 LexenXtreme Fall Classic Pro Juniors 20-23 800.0 216.46
1 RPS Jun 14, 2013 Lexen Summer Slam Amateur Open 850.0 230.56
1 RPS Mar 2, 2013 International Open Pro Open 2,375.5 646.60
DQ WABDL Nov 12, 2012 World Championships Elite Open - -
DQ WPC Jul 20, 2012 CanAm Bench Press Championships M_JEM_APF - -
1 WABDL May 11, 2012 Buckeye Hall of Fame Classic Elite Open 843.2 226.52
1 APF Apr 21, 2012 Single-ply Ohio Championships M_OES_APF 600.0 161.19
1 WABDL Feb 24, 2012 East Coast BP & DL Juniors 20-25 903.9 244.57
1 APF Nov 12, 2011 Big Dog Classic M_OEM_AAPF 640.0 171.94
1 UPA Sep 23, 2011 Great Lakes Meet MJ 840.0 225.84
DQ USPA Aug 19, 2011 Mid-Cities Benchpress Open - -
1 WABDL May 16, 2011 Buckeye Hall of Fame Classic Elite Open 821.2 220.62
1 APF Feb 19, 2011 Ohio Cup M_JEM_APF 810.0 226.15
1 APF Feb 19, 2011 Ohio Cup M_JEM_APF 2,410.0 672.86
1 APF Nov 13, 2010 Big Dog Classic M_OEM_APF 800.0 223.35
1 APF Nov 13, 2010 Big Dog Classic M_OEM_APF 640.0 178.68
1 IPA Oct 23, 2010 Lexen Xtreme Fall Classic Pro Open 725.0 202.41
1 APF Aug 20, 2010 Ohio State Open 605.0 168.91
1 APF Aug 20, 2010 Ohio State Open 760.0 212.19
1 IPA Jun 11, 2010 Lexen Xtreme Bench Meet Amateur Open 700.0 195.43
1 WABDL May 21, 2010 Buckeye Hall of Fame Classic Teen 18-19 644.9 180.04
1 WABDL May 21, 2010 Buckeye Hall of Fame Classic Open 650.4 181.58
1 USAPL Sep 11, 2009 Bench Nationals M-T3 636.0 178.63
1 NASA Jun 19, 2009 USA Nationals teen 1,179.5 329.93
1 NASA Apr 3, 2009 High School Nationals jr-sr 1,570.8 439.92

Data source: OpenPowerlifting. Data through July 25, 2026.

To make Jimmy Kolb’s new 635.5-kilogram (1,401-pound) Equipped Bench Press even more impressive, he has managed to achieve it without using any PEDs. This is evident from an official sheet from the competition displayed on Kolb’s Instagram story, which shows that he was drug-tested. So, he has once again secured his place in the history of powerlifting, but it is very likely that he will be setting his sights on an even heavier bench press very soon.

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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