Strongwoman Jessica Fithen has hit the heaviest block press by a woman ever. On Saturday, Jan. 23, 2021, Fithen successfully locked out a 100-kilogram (220-pound) Mouser block at Strongman Corporation’s Mammoth Strength Challenge V, held in Bowling Green, KY. If you don’t know, a Mouser block is a plate-loadable steel strongman block that competitors clean from the floor and then press overhead.
The 2019 Strongman Corporation’s Strongest Women in the World champion shared a video of her world record lift on her Instagram page. Check it out below:
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[Related: 2020 America’s Strongest Man And Woman Results And Highlights]
Fithen already held the Mouser block world record coming into the event — an 84.4-kilogram (186-pound) press secured at the 2018 America’s Strongest Viking contest.
Training for the World Record
Fithen’s training often involves movements that build overall strength such as the squat, deadlift, and overhead movements. Leading up to her world record block press, Fithen posted updates on her gains in the event on her Instagram.
In the first week of December 2019, she lifted 77 kilograms (170 pounds) and nearly matched her former world record weight with relative ease. By the end of December, she cleanly pressed 88.5 kilograms (195 pounds) — five kilograms (11 pounds) over the world record — and in her words, it was, “looking like a warm-up.”
She continued to hit that 88.5-kilogram (195-pound) unofficial world record to round out 2020. Fithen ultimately became the first woman to ever break through the 90.7-kilogram (200-pound) milestone in early January 2021 when she hoisted 93 kilograms (205 pounds) overhead in training.
If you missed that lift, you can check it out below via her Instagram page;
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[Related: The Overhead Press | How-To, Warmup, Mistakes, And More]
Future Competition
Kicking off 2021 with a Mouser block world record is an impressive feat for Fithen who earned a bronze at the 2020 Arnold Pro Strongwoman. The Arnold Sports Festival — which normally takes place sometime in March — has been delayed with new dates yet to be announced. When new dates are set, it’s likely safe to bet on Fithen to step up on the podium again.
Featured image from Jessica Fithen’s Instagram page: @filthy_fithen
