Bill Bullock
PALM SPRINGS, FLORIDA– The World Powerlifting League held their twentieth annual bench press competition in Palm Springs this past weekend, which saw strong animals from all around the world compete to win the world’s illustrious title.
This year’s winner is Teddy “Gordo” Gordon, a 1,200 pound grizzly bear from North America, who set a new world record with his impressive 7,450 pound bench press.
Gordo beat out some stiff competition, with the second place title going to a 400 pound silverback gorilla, who benched 5,395 pounds.
This is the first world powerlifting competition meet that Gordo has competed in since beginning his strength career in 2016, where he has only been taking part in American contests.
The brawny bear performed the bench press lift using only wrist wraps and a belt, making this feat all the more remarkable.
The bench press attempt easily defeated the previous world record of 6,980 pounds held by last year’s winner, a Kodiak bear named Bol’shoy Medved from Russia.
Although he now holds the world record for strongest bench press lift, Gordo says he has no intention of stopping and plans on competing in next year’s meet with an even bigger number.
Gordo says he’s also training for the deadlift and squat and promises that he will also shatter those records in the near future.
