Andrew has secured a bronze medal at the IPF World Bench 2023 Championships in South Africa, competing in the 74 kg Open Men category. Please see a 5-minute highlights video below, or you can watch the full competition here.
Results
World Classic & Equipped Bench Press Championships, Sun City, South Africa, 20 May 2023 (IPF, classic).
| Lift | Attempt 1 | Attempt 2 | Attempt 3 | Best |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bench press | 155 kg | 167.5 kg | 167.5 kg |
| Place | Bodyweight | Class | Division |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3rd | 73.8 kg | Under 74 kg | Open |
Results: OpenPowerlifting
Displaying great dedication, he successfully lifted 155 kg and 167.5 kg in his first two attempts. When he attempted 170 kg on his final lift, spectators were impressed by his seemingly flawless execution.
However, the judges’ evaluation revealed a bum lift (his bottom came off the bench) during the 170 kg lift, which meant it did not count, throwing Andrew’s chances of a medal into question. Tensions rose in the competition hall as another competitor set out to challenge Andrew, also attempting the sought-after 170 kg lift. Everyone held their breath as it became clear that the outcome of this final attempt would determine Andrew’s chances of securing the bronze.
Fortunately for Andrew, his rival struggled, eventually failing to complete the lift successfully. With this turn of events, Andrew was awarded the bronze medal, a reward for his hard work and effort. This result marked a significant milestone, as it was his first time medalling on the world stage.
Here are some photos from the meet:
Read more about the GBR team performance on the IPF Chalk Talk blog.
