11-time International Powerlifting Federation (IPF) World Champion Jen Thompson celebrated her 50th birthday on June 27, 2023. To mark the milestone birthday, Thompson posted a video on her Instagram page showcasing a bench press of 145.1 kilograms (320 pounds). In the video, Thompson clarified that her body weight was 65.3 kilograms (144 pounds), making the lift more than 2.2-times her body weight.
Once her spotter helped her unrack the barbell, Thompson lowered the bar to her chest. After a brief pause in the bottom position, she began the press. The barbell slowly went up, but it never stalled. Once she reached the top of the press, the barbell was returned to the rack.
The only equipment Thompson wore was a pair of wrist wraps. In the video, she embedded text noting that that the weight was “6.4 times” her age. She also shared her experience in the sport as a way to inspire her 116,000 followers.
“I’ve been competing in powerlifting since 1999. Still going strong. It doesn’t matter how old you are. You can build strength and live a long healthy life by the choices you make.”
According to Open Powerlifting, Thompson holds the all-time world record on the bench in the Women’s 60-kilogram category with a lift of 300.9 pounds. She set that mark in 2012 at the North American Powerlifting Federation (NAPF) Raw Challenge. In March 2023, Thompson set the 67.5-kilogram, Masters 40-49 all-time world record with a bench press of 146 kilograms (321.8 pounds) at the USA Powerlifting (USAPL) Arnold Pro Series Finals in Columbus, OH. That lift is also an all-time record in all age categories as well.
Thompson’s best-ever bench in competition is 148.5 kilograms (327.4 pounds), which is a record in the Women’s 75-kilogram, Masters 45-49 division. She performed it at the 2022 USAPL Carolina Primetime meet.
Thompson isn’t the only experienced powerlifter that marks their birthday with a signature lift. 70-74 Masters powerlifter Rudy Kadlub performs a big deadlift every year on his birthday. In April 2023, he marked his 74th birthday with a deadlift of 237.7 kilograms (524 pounds) for a double.
As of this writing, there is no word on Thompson’s next planned meet. When she does compete again, it will be the first time that she is eligible to enter in the Masters 50-54 category.
Featured Image: @jenthompson132 on Instagram
