Bench press specialist Amélie Mierger is no stranger to world records. She broke the International Powerlifting Federation (IPF) bench press world record in the +84KG class three times before losing it to Mahailya Reeves in 2022. Reeves set the record at 164.5 kilograms (363 pounds) at only 18 years old en route to victory at the 2022 IPF World Junior Championships in Türkiye. The record still stands at the time of this article’s publication.

Given how Mieger has been lifting recently, how long Reeves’ record will hold is reasonably up for debate. Mierger competed at the 2023 Girl Power Tournament in Cenon, France, on Oct. 22, 2023, and pressed an incredible 167.5 kilograms (369 pounds). Check out the lift below, courtesy of Mierger’s Instagram page:

https://www.instagram.com/p/Cy0_qGTxqXI/

The video above shows some warm-ups and Mierger’s snug 235-kilogram (518-pound) squat before her bench press. Mierger benched with a lifting belt and wrist wraps. While it’s not the norm to use a belt when benching raw, it’s also not unheard of. Some lifters feel a belt enables them to a tighter setup and solidifies their position on the bench.

Mierger took the bar at arms’ length and then, on the command, brought it down to her chest. She sank the barbell into her sternum before bringing it to a complete stop. This is typical of her bench press style and within the rules as long as she doesn’t sink it farther once the press command is given.

Mierger pressed the weight slowly but surely. It was clearly close to her limit, but she did not pause or falter. The lockout was clean, and the judges’ lights were white. Here are Mierger’s full results from the 2023 FFF Girl Power Tournament:

2023 Girl Power Results – Amélie Mierger 84+KG

• Squat
  • 215 kilograms (474 pounds)
  • 227.5 kilograms (501.5 pounds)
  • 235 kilograms (518 pounds)
• Bench Press
  • 152.5 kilograms (336 pounds)
  • 160 kilograms (353 pounds)
  • 167.5 kilograms (369 pounds) 
• Deadlift
  • 207.5 kilograms (457.5 pounds)
  • 217.5 kilograms (479.5 pounds)
  • 227.5 kilograms (501.5 pounds)
• Total
  • 630 kilograms (1389 pounds)

In the IPF, world records can only be set at international meets, so this lift does not count as an official world record. Mierger will have to repeat this lift or more at her next international contest to make this unofficial world record official.

Mierger is not on the roster for the upcoming European Powerlifting Federation (EPF) European Classic to be held in Tartu, Estonia, on Dec. 4 – 9, 2023, so it remains unclear where or when she will compete next. Wherever it will be, the bench press world record is in jeopardy.

Featured image: @ameliemierger on Instagram