17-year-old Liam Anderson breaks bench press record twice with 396, 402 pounds

Liam Anderson went into the 2026 USA Powerlifting Southwest Regional Championships with one clear goal: break the national bench press record in his age and weight class before turning 18 later this month. The Shenendehowa High School senior did more than that. During the September 5 competition in Grapevine, Texas, Anderson first lifted 180 kilograms, or about 396 pounds, on his second attempt to set a new American record. He then returned for his final attempt, lifted 182.5 kilograms, or about 402 pounds, and broke the record he had just set only moments earlier.How did Liam Anderson break the national record twice?Anderson competed in the 16-to-17 age division and the up-to-82.5-kilogram weight class, which is around 182 pounds.