Equipped powerlifter Viktor Leskovets was part of the dominant Ukrainian team at the European Powerlifting Federation (EPF) European Equipped Championships (EEC) in Hamm, Luxembourg. He has recently been lifting in the 120KG class but has come back down to the 105KG class in 2024, and it certainly seems to suit him.
Leskovets has three European and one World Bench Press titles, as well as the bench press world record in the 120KG class at a gargantuan 375.5 kilograms.
Leskovets’ numbers were a fair way off his 120KG best, but 325.5 kilograms was still enough to claim the world record in the 105KG class. Take a look at the lift below, courtesy of the IPF’s Instagram page:
Leskovets lifted in the equipped category on May 11, 2024. In the International Powerlifting Federation (IPF), of which the EPF is an affiliate, this category allows the use of single-ply bench shirts and the more usual wrist wraps and lifting belts. Leskovets availed himself of all of these 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 began the press.
Leskovets’ body swayed laterally during the lift as he struggled with the weight. In the IPF, there is no requirement for even lockout, as there is in some federations: the entire bar must dip for the lift to be rejected by the referees.
Leskovets fought the weight, eventually bringing it to full lockout at arms’ length to secure his first world record in the 105KG class.
2024 EPF European Equipped Powerlifting Championship Results — Viktor Leskovets (UKR), 105KG
380 kilograms
390 kilograms
395 kilograms
Bench Press
307.5 kilograms
317.5 kilograms
325.5 kilograms — IPF Open World Record
302.5 kilograms
312.5 kilograms
312.5 kilograms
Total — 1,033 kilograms
Leskovet’s colossal bench press put him ahead in the competition at sub-total. However, Denmark’s Nicki Lentz took advantage of Leskovets missing his second deadlift and moved a few kilograms into the lead.
Leskovets successfully hit his final deadlift to recover the lead, but he could not 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 expected to lift next in November at the 2024 IPF World Equipped Powerlifting Championships in Reykjavik, Iceland. From there, he will have the opportunity to qualify for the 2025 World Games in Chengdu, China.
Featured image: @theepf on Instagram
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