Bill Gillespie decided to retire from powerlifting after completing this lift.
Bill Gillespie has been vying for the all-time world record bench press for quite some time now. On Friday, the 62-year-old powerlifter finally reached the pinnacle. Gillespie completed a massive 512.5kg (1,129.9lb) equipped bench press during the 2022 365Strong New Year Power Bash.
Many powerlifters flocked to Charlotte to compete and show what they can do. Gillespie stole the show by taking down the bench press world record. Following the accomplishment, Gillespie shared a video to Instagram and announced his retirement from powerlifting.
“1129 All Time World Record! Praise God for an incredible 50 year journey and all of the great lessons I have learned about life and my relationship with God. Today is my last competition and on my last attempt I have been blessed with the honor to stand on top of the mountain.
I want to thank so many people for their support and help because I know that things like this doesn’t happen on your own. I am done competing now at 62 years old and I’m going to lose weight and use the journey that I have been through to help enrich other peoples lives.
#sorinex
#legendarystrengthgym“
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Over the last year, this record has changed hands many times. In June 2021, Jimmy Kolb set the mark at 508kg (1,120lb). Kolb was able to complete this lift in the 140kg weight class. Just five months later, Tiny Meeker took the record with a 510.2kg (1,125lb) lift at the 2021 International Powerlifting Association Nationals. Now, Gillespie has taken over the title.
Bill Gillespie has announced his retirement but his career spanned over four decades. He made his powerlifting debut in 1981 when he finished fourth during the USPF Virginia Open. Over the early portion of his career, Gillespie was a complete powerlifter but beginning in 1997, he began strictly performing the bench press during competitions.
Since 1997, Gillespie competed in 75 competitions performing bench press only and placed top three in 47 of them. It took some time for Gillespie to reach the 500kg mark but he was able to get there and then some. On the third and final attempt in Charlotte, Gillespie was able to set a new record.
Bill Gillespie will now be remembered for his massive bench press during the 365Strong New Year Power Bash. This will be a mark that is difficult to beat but there are always lifters that try to get there. For Gillespie, the final lift of his career resulted in a world record and this is how you go out on top.
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