Are They The Worlds Best Bench Pressrs or not?

[benchpresser]

I read that the best Bench record holder at this time is by 2 guys. One name is Gene Rychalk. it said that He benched 1006 pounds on the bench. . Then it says another guy named Scot Mendelson did 1008 pounds.

I would like to know do these guys take Steroids or other illegal drugs. or do they happen to know more about benching than we do.

Their lift is 3 times more than my best.

Please let me know what you think about these 2 guys? .

[vince148]

As far as your original question, can't say one way or another about drugs. But yes, they probably know a lot more about benching.

However, Ryan Kennelly, who hit 1036 a month or so ago, along with Rob Luyando (242 with 920+(?)) are probably the most consistent benchers around.

[buffman]

No they are no the Worlds Greatest Bench Pressers.

Gene competes in an organization with very loose rules and is non tested. If you have seen his lifts online(check youtube) then you know that he is not an all time great bencher.
Scott Mendelson also competes under very loose rules and it is not drug tested. Mendelson does seem to be MUCH stronger than Gene, but he has never stepped on a IPF platform and earned it. He claims to have the all time highest RAW Bench Press, but it was done in the APF with very relaxed rules. The man he claims to have taken the RAW World Record from, James Henderson, earned his lift at the IPF Worlds under strict rules and drug testing. I have met Henderson and he told myself and JT Hall that he had done 744 raw in an exhibition in Europe.
James Henderson is an all time Great Bencher. These kind of discussions happen a lot online and are never really ever conclusive. I will tell you this, research the sport and find out where and what rules are applied in each organization and see which federation is the most legitimate. I have done the research and it is the Internationational Powerflifting Federation (IPF) with the American affiliate being USA Powerlifting(USAPL).


Ryan Kennelly and Rob Luyando are consistent lifters, but I wish they would step onto an IPF platform and lift. That is not criticism, but simply asking them to do it with strict form and be drug tested. If you need an example see Marcus Schick from Germany, He left the WPO/APF meets fro the IPF and is doing well. His numbers went down, but his credibility is at an all time high.