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...
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Jimmy Kolb - Image vi @kolbstrong Instagram
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Jimmy Kolb is a name that has been on the lips of many powerlifting enthusiasts as of late. This is a result of his recent accomplishment of setting a new Equipped Bench Press World Record of 612.5 kilograms (1,350.3 pounds). This impressive accomplishment has not only set a new benchmark in the bench press category but has also marked a milestone in human history as the single heaviest lift ever performed in a sanctioned competition.
Jimmy Kolb took part in the 2023 IPA Hillbilly Havoc which took place on February 2nd, in Hurricane, West Virginia, making his record official. He had three attempts, but it all came down to the last one. Kolb decided not to do anything for his first attempt, but then failed a 602.5-kilogram (1,328.8-pound) lift on his second attempt. However, that did not stop Kolb from adding more plates to the bar. So, he attempted the 612.5-kilogram (1,350.3-pound) equipped bench press and succeeded.
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Apart from the lift, Jimmy Kolb’s Instagram post displayed a piece of paper which officially confirms his World Record. It contains some interesting facts as well, one of which is his bodyweight. According to the paper, Kolb weighed in at 148.3 kilograms (326 pounds) for this competition. It also confirms that he competed in the “Unlimited” division.
Jimmy Kolb’s current closest competitor’s best lift is 90.9 kilograms (200.4 pounds) lighter than his new World Record. That belongs to Will Barotti who bench pressed 521.6 kilograms (1,149.9 pounds) at the 2022 MM Worlds. So, it is evident that the World Record will remain in Kolb’s hands for many years to come.
Data source: OpenPowerlifting. Data through July 19, 2026.
Jimmy Kolb has been the greatest lifter in the equipped bench press for a very long time and has now reached a point where no one can even get close to him, let alone beat him. The fact that he is still striving for improvement all the time has us wondering what milestones he will reach in the future.
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.
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.
