Powerlifter Jonah Wiendieck (120KG) Scores 250.5-kg (552.3-lb) Raw Bench Press IPF Junior World Record

The 2023 IPF World Juniors and Sub-Juniors Classic Championships took place from August 24th to September 3rd, in Cluj Napoca, Romania. It gathered dozens of elite young powerlifters from all around the world, who came to progress their careers and display their strength to the world. Jonah Wiendieck is one that definitely made a long-lasting impression on powerlifting fans, having landed a smooth 250.5-kilogram (552.3-pound) Bench Press IPF Junior World Record.

At just 23 years old, Jonah Wiendieck has made his way to the most prestigious junior competition in the world and left everyone in awe with his performance. He opened up his bench press session with a 235-kilogram (518.1-pound) lift, which went up like it weighed nothing. So, he jumped up to 245.5 kilograms (541.2 pounds) on his second attempt, which was once again successful, and already set a new IPF Junior World Record.

However, on his final attempt, Jonah Wiendieck moved up to a weight of 250.5 kilograms (552.3 pounds). Having nothing to lose, Jonah went out on the platform, got positioned on the bench with nothing but a pair of wrist straps on, lowered the barbell, and pressed it back up with slow, but consistent, pace.

The previous heaviest U120KG IPF Bench Press Junior World Record performed in a full competition belonged to Dmytro Vovk. He set it back in 2019 when he pressed 240.5 kilograms (530.2 pounds) at the IPF World Classic Powerlifting Championships.

Watch the lift here:

Related: Powerlifter Andorina Bouchoux (69KG) Sets 198-kg (436.5-lb) Raw Squat IPF Junior World Record

Jonah Wiendieck’s Full Performance

Although Jonah Wiendieck had a perfect display, with all nine of his attempts successful, he still had to settle for a silver medal. His final Total was just 0.5 kilograms (1.1 pounds) lighter than the winner’s. Unluckily for Jonah, he would have also set a new IPF Total Junior World Record had El Chaer Etienne not outperformed it just minutes later.

Jonah Wiendieck was also in the lead throughout the entire competition, but Etienne El Chaer took over the top spot on the final few deadlifts. Still, Jonah walked away with new competition PRs in all of the events, which is pretty impressive for his debut at the highest level.

Squat

• 310 kilograms (683.4 pounds)
• 330 kilograms (727.5 pounds)
• 340 kilograms (749.6 pounds)

Bench Press

• 235 kilograms (518.1 pounds)
• 245.5 kilograms (541.2 pounds)
• 250.5 kilograms (552.3 pounds) — U120KG IPF Junior World Record

Deadlift

• 305 kilograms (672.4 pounds)
• 322.5 kilograms (711 pounds)
• 335 kilograms (738.5 pounds)

Total — 925.5 kilograms (2,040.4 pounds)

Related: Powerlifter Joya Khairallah (52KG) Sets Deadlift & Total IPF Raw Junior World Records At 2023 IPF World Classic Championships

Jonah Wiendieck’s Competition History

It seems Jonah Wiendieck’s first major sanctioned powerlifting contest came in September of 2022, and the 2023 IPF Junior World Championships were his third. He has claimed two victories, failing to secure his third in only his most recent performance. However, he still landed an IPF Junior World Record Bench Press, which is only a glimpse of what he hopes to do in the future.