Amélie Mierger is one of the biggest female bench pressers in the International Powerlifting Federation (IPF). She first broke the IPF raw bench press world record in the +84-kilogram class at the 2021 European Classic Championships with a huge 153-kilogram (337-pound) press. She extended the record twice, up to 163 kilograms (359 pounds), before losing it to Mahailya Reeves at the 2022 Junior World Championships.

On Sept. 23, 2023, Mierger competed at the Federation Francaise de Force (FFF) French National Championships and hit a huge 165-kilogram (364-pound) raw bench press — half a kilo more than Reeve’s current world record. Check out the lift below, courtesy of the FFF Instagram page:

https://www.instagram.com/p/CxiUmH7s_zH/

Mierger made good use of her 60 seconds on the platform. She first sat on the end of the weight bench to compose herself before bracing against the combo rack to tighten up her position. She accepted a handout from the platform crew and held the barbell at lockout, awaiting the referee’s signal. Mierger brought the bar down to her chest, waited for the press command, and took the bar back to the top with apparent ease.

This is the third time Mierger has pressed 165 kilograms (364 pounds) in competition. However, those lifts were at local or national competitions, meaning the IPF raw world record does not bear her name. In the IPF, one can only claim a world record if it is achieved at an international contest.  Mierger attempted the weight at the 2023 IPF Classic World Championships in Malta but did not press beyond a few inches off her chest.

Mierger’s 165-kilogram (364-pound) raw bench press was part of her title-winning performance at French nationals. Below are her full results:

2023 FFF French National Championships Results – Amélie Mierger 84+KG

• Squat
  • 192.5 kilograms (419 pounds)
  • 212.5 kilograms (419 pounds)
  • 232.5 kilograms (452 pounds)
• Bench Press
  • 152.5 kilograms (248 pounds)
  • 160 kilograms (265 pounds)
  • 165 kilograms (265 pounds) 
• Deadlift
  • 190 kilograms (595 pounds)
  • 210 kilograms (635 pounds)
  • 225 kilograms (678 pounds)
• Total
  • 622.5 kilograms (1394 pounds)

Mierger is currently ranked second overall in the classic bench press in the IPF. Only the young protege, Mahailya Reeves, has lifted more. Reeves benched 167.5 kilograms (369 pounds) at 15 years of age at the 2019 USAPL Raw Nationals but hasn’t replicated the feat since.

Mierger will next compete on Oct. 22, 2023, at the 2023 Girl Power Tournament, a women-only money meet in Cenon, France. The annual event has an IPF sanction, meaning world records can be broken. It’s a fast turnaround, but if Mierger recovers quickly, she might reclaim the world record.

Featured image: @ffforce__ on Instagram