60-kilogram powerlifter Emily Hu has broken the all-time world record in the raw bench press. On July 23, 2023, Hu competed in the World Raw Powerlifting Federation’s (WRPF) Siege of the Shore meet in San Diego, CA, on July 23, 2023, where she set the raw bench press record of 137.5 kilograms (303.2 pounds) on her third attempt.
The record was 2.3 times her body weight. Check out the new raw record lift in the video via BarBend‘s Instagram page, courtesy of Hu’s Instagram page below:
[Related: Denise Herber (75KG) Deadlifts Two 270-Kilogram (595-Pound) Raw Singles in Prep for ABS Pro V]
Hu positioned herself on the bench and received the weight from a spotter. Once her glutes were on the bench, the judge gave her the start command. Following a brief pause at the bottom, she was told to press. Hu pressed the bar to lockout and held it until the judge called to rack it.
Following a short but dramatic moment of anticipation, she was notified the lift was good and celebrated. She wore a singlet and wrist wraps for the attempt. Hu’s full performance was as follows:
2023 WRPF Siege at the Short Results — Emily Hu, 60KG
- Squat — 150 kilograms (330.7 pounds)
- Bench Press — 137.5 kilograms (303.9 pounds)
- Deadlift — 185 kilograms (407.8 pounds)
- Total — 473 kilograms (1,041.6 pounds)
This was Hu’s first lift over 300 pounds competition. The attempt broke the previous raw world record of 136.5 kilograms (300.9 pounds) set by Jen Thompson at the 2012 NAPF Raw Challenge — that record held for over 11 years.
According to Open PowerliftingIn the 29 sanctioned meets the 41-year-old Hu has competed in since 2012, she won gold at 20 of them. She’s only ever missed the podium on two occasions: the 2014 American Cup and the 2017 SPF Reebok Record Breakers.
[Related: How To Use The Chest Press Machine For Plateau-Busting Pec Gains]
As of July 31, 2023, Hu holds the second-heaviest raw bench press ever in the 56-kilogram class with a successful 126-kilogram (277.7-pound) lift in 2018. In the caption of her Instagram post, Hu wrote that her lift was the fourth world record of her career, dating back to 2012. Hu previously lifted 137.4 kilograms (303 pounds) in a Mass Cast virtual meet in 2021.
Featured Image: @amithebenchbrah on Instagram
