Eugène Rychlak Jr. (1968 – 26 July 2019) was a
powerlifter
Powerlifting is a competitive strength sport that consists of three attempts at maximal weight on three lifts: squat, bench press, and deadlift. As in the sport of Olympic weightlifting, it involves the athlete attempting a maximal weight singl ...
from the
United States
The United States of America (USA), also known as the United States (U.S.) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It is a federal republic of 50 U.S. state, states and a federal capital district, Washington, D.C. The 48 ...
, who specialized in the
bench press
The bench press or chest press is a weight training exercise where a person presses a weight upwards while lying horizontally on a weight training bench. The bench press is a Compound movements, compound movement, with the primary muscles involved ...
. He was the first man to perform a bench press of over both and .
[EASTER, M., & TSEVIS, C. (2012). Your Best Bench Ever. Men's Health, 27(8), 110-112.] He was also the founder of the Revolution Powerlifting Syndicate (RPS) powerlifting federation.
Career
Rychlak's bodyweight was in excess of 345 lb (156 kg). Rychlak previously held the record for the world's heaviest equipped bench press of 1010 lb (457 kg) December 16, 2006 in Lake George, NY. This record is now held by
Ryan Kennelly
Ryan Shawn Kennelly (born March 23, 1974) is an American powerlifter who specializes in the bench press. He held the World Powerlifting Organization (WPO) record and held the all-time world record in the Equipped (geared) bench ...
, who has lifted 1075 lbs in the same lift.
At the 2005
Mr. Olympia
Mr. Olympia is the title awarded to the winner of the professional men's bodybuilding contest in the open division at Joe Weider's Olympia Fitness & Performance Weekend—an international bodybuilding competition that is held annually and is sanct ...
bodybuilding competition, Rychlak attempted to break his own record by pressing 1015 lb (460 kg). Rychlak was unable to complete the press, and despite having several spotters around him, the weight fell onto his body. Rychlak suffered no serious injuries from the accident.
Rychlak has also squatted in competition.
Death
Gene Rychlak died on July 26, 2019, due to a heart condition.
See also
*
Progression of the bench press world record
*
Scot Mendelson
Scot Mendelson (born February 21, 1969) is an American powerlifter and armwrestler who specializes in the bench press.
During his career he set 64 world records predominantly in bench pressing and was the raw (unassisted) world ...
*
Ryan Kennelly
Ryan Shawn Kennelly (born March 23, 1974) is an American powerlifter who specializes in the bench press. He held the World Powerlifting Organization (WPO) record and held the all-time world record in the Equipped (geared) bench ...
References
External links
Gene Rychlak Power Systems- The official website
Revolution Powerlifting Syndicate- The powerlifting federation founded by Rychlak
1968 births
2019 deaths
American powerlifters
World record holders in weightlifting
Sportspeople from Montgomery County, Pennsylvania
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