Viktor Leskovets (105KG) Breaks the IPF Equipped Bench Press World Record with 325.5 kilograms

Leskovets competed on the EPF Equipped Powerlifting Championships in Hamm, Luxembourg

Last updated on May twenty first, 2024

Equipped powerlifter Viktor Leskovets was a part of the dominant Ukrainian team on the European Powerlifting Federation (EPF) European Equipped Championships (EEC) in Hamm, Luxembourg. He has recently been lifting within the 120KG class but has come back all the way down to the 105KG class in 2024, and it actually seems to suit him.

Leskovets has three European and one World Bench Press titles, in addition to the bench press world record within the 120KG class at a gargantuan 375.5 kilograms.

Leskovets’ numbers were a good way off his 120KG best, but 325.5 kilograms was still enough to say the world record within the 105KG class. Take a take a look at the lift below, courtesy of the IPF’s Instagram page:

Leskovets lifted within the equipped category on May 11, 2024. In the International Powerlifting Federation (IPF), of which the EPF is an affiliate, this category allows using single-ply bench shirts and the more usual wrist wraps and lifting belts. Leskovets availed himself of all of those aides for his huge lift.

The barbell’s descent to the chest was smooth — an achievement in itself in an equipped bench press. Leskovets got a solid touch and commenced the press.

Leskovets’ body swayed laterally throughout the lift as he struggled with the load. In the IPF, there is no such thing as a requirement for even lockout, as there’s in some federations: the complete bar must dip for the lift to be rejected by the referees.

Leskovets fought the load, eventually bringing it to full lockout at arms’ length to secure his first world record within the 105KG class.

2024 EPF European Equipped Powerlifting Championship Results — Viktor Leskovets (UKR), 105KG

• Squat
  • 380 kilograms
  • 390 kilograms
  • 395 kilograms
• Bench Press
  • 307.5 kilograms
  • 317.5 kilograms
  • 325.5 kilograms — IPF Open World Record
• Deadlift
  • 302.5 kilograms
  • 312.5 kilograms
  • 312.5 kilograms
• Total — 1,033 kilograms

Leskovet’s colossal bench press put him ahead within the competition at sub-total. However, Denmark’s Nicki Lentz took advantage of Leskovets missing his second deadlift and moved just a few kilograms into the lead.

Leskovets successfully hit his final deadlift to get well the lead, but he couldn’t prevent Lentz from taking it back with a smooth 320-kilogram pull. This left Leskovets with the silver medal, two kilograms behind Lentz.

Leskovets is anticipated to lift next in November on the 2024 IPF World Equipped Powerlifting Championships in Reykjavik, Iceland. From there, he may have the chance to qualify for the 2025 World Games in Chengdu, China.