UK bench specialist Andy Rigby has a long history in the sport, dating back to the 1980s. He has had some breaks from competition, which has helped his longevity. Still, he is active and in fine form, as his recent performance at the 2024 European Powerlifting Federation (EPF) European Bench Press Championships (EBC) attests.

At the 2024 EBC, Rigby competed in the 120KG class, both classic (more commonly referred to as “raw”) and equipped. His opener of 190 kilograms secured the gold medal and extended his Masters 3 (ages 60-69) world record to 202 kilograms. He subsequently pushed it further with his final attempt of 204 kilograms.

Rigby used wrist wraps and a lifting belt to aid him, both permissible under International Powerlifting Federation (IPF) classic rules. He began with his signature fast drop to the chest and followed it with a smooth lockout. The speed of the barbell’s ascent suggested that this was not completely maxed out.

Rigby is, at heart, a raw bench presser. However, he has recently started to make forays into the arcane world of equipped benching. He claimed his second consecutive European title in the discipline at this meet.

Rigby often switches between the 105KG and 120KG classes, depending on his goals. In 2022, he competed in the 93KG class, 105KG class, and 120KG class in successive meets. However, that was the last time he appeared in the 93KG class, and it seems unlikely that he will compete at that body weight again. This weight class fluidity has allowed him to simultaneously hold British records in three weight classes and three age classes.

Rigby holds the Masters 3 classic world records in the 105KG class and the 120KG class, and the European record in the Masters 2 105KG class.

Full list of international bench press titles:

WDFPF Open World champion x 3 (1992-95)

WDFPF Open European champion (1999)

WDFPF Masters World champion x 4 (2008-14)

WDFPF Masters European champion x 3 (2010-14

IPF Masters World champion x 5 (2016-24)

IPF Masters European Champion x 6 (2017-24)

2024 EPF European Classic Bench Press Championships Results — Andy Rigby, 120KG Masters 3

Bench Press

190 kilograms

202 kilograms — IPF Masters 3 World Record

204 kilograms — IPF Masters 3 World Record

As the IPF bench press season draws to a close, Rigby’s next contest will probably be the 2025 British Powerlifting (BP) British Bench Press Championships in Newark, UK on Jan. 19, 2025.

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Featured image: @theipf on Instagram

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