Mongolia’s President Shows Off Some ‘Combine-Level’ Strength in Viral Bench Press Video
Mongolia’s president apparently doesn’t need to change into gym clothes before knocking out a serious set on the bench press.
President Ukhnaagiin Khürelsükh has gone viral after footage showed the 58-year-old leader stepping into a military gym, taking off his suit jacket and reportedly bench pressing 100 kilograms (220 pounds) for 20 repetitions. The kicker: Khürelsükh kept his dress shirt, tie and trousers on for the entire set.
With soldiers gathered around the bench, Khürelsükh got underneath the bar and began pumping out reps before getting back to his feet and shaking hands with those around him.
The unusual display quickly spread across social media, with the sight of a sitting head of state casually bench pressing in formal attire attracting plenty of attention.
Mongolia’s President Has a Background in Fitness and the Military
While seeing a president bench pressing in a shirt and tie might be unexpected, Khürelsükh’s background makes the feat a little less surprising.
According to the official Office of the President of Mongolia, Khürelsükh studied at the Mongolian National Defence University from 1985 to 1989 before serving as a political deputy in the 152nd Unit of the Mongolian People’s Army from 1989-90. He later embarked on a lengthy political career, eventually serving as Mongolia’s prime minister from 2017 until 2021. He has served as president and commander-in-chief of the country’s armed forces since 2021.
Reports surrounding the viral bench press video also note that Khürelsükh has a background in bodybuilding and martial arts.
That certainly appeared evident once he got underneath the bar.
Khürelsükh performed the set with a spotter standing directly behind him while military personnel watched. Troops loaded the bar to 100 kilograms, which converts to roughly 220 pounds. He reportedly completed 20 repetitions before finishing the impromptu workout.
For some perspective, performing 20 repetitions with 220 pounds would be a legitimate strength-endurance feat for virtually anyone, much less a 58-year-old politician who walked into the gym wearing formal clothes.
220 pounds isn’t far off from the 225-lb bench press endurance test standard used by many military units in the United States and also in the NFL Combine, where the record stands at 51 reps, set by a massive offensive lineman in 1999.
There has been some debate online over the exact weight of the plates visible in the viral footage, so the 100-kilogram figure comes from the reports accompanying the video rather than an independently verified weigh-in.
Regardless, it made for one of the more unexpected viral fitness clips of the week.
Khürelsükh walked into the military facility looking ready for a diplomatic meeting, took off the jacket, knocked out a high-rep bench press set in front of the troops and then went right back to presidential business.
Image embed via Instagram @indeximpact
