Originally Posted by Commando_Barbi
Sailors Sets World Record in Bench Press
By Journalist 1st Class (SW) Jay Cope
Navy News Service
September 01, 2004
NEW ORLEANS -- Navy Counselor 1st Class James Burdette attached to Patrol Squadron (VP) 94, set a new world record in the 181-pound weight class Aug. 14 with a bench press of 540 pounds. The record lift was made while he was competing in the American Powerlifting Association sanctioned Panhandle Open in Mobile, Ala.
Burdette competes in the drug tested open category. His meet winning lift in that category broke the previous record for that classification by 15 pounds. Burdette also lifted 500 pounds in the squat competition and 505 pounds in the deadlift event for a competition total of 1,545 pounds. His event total was second only to a lifter competing in the 308-pound weight class.
Burdette's previous best in competition was 520 pounds, but he surpassed that in his workouts in preparing for the competition and had told the organizers of the event that he was confident he could break the record at their meet.
He's hardly done, though, as he has his sights set on passing the 565 pound record bench press in the non-drug tested category for his weight class. If Burdette is successful, the 181-pound weight class would be the only one where the drug tested lift is higher than the non-drug tested.
"I want to show that you don't need the "juice,'" he said, referring to performance enhancing drugs. "In the long run, they're bad for your body, and you can reach the same levels with just a little more time and dedication."
But even the 565-pound record is not his ultimate goal. Burdette hopes to exceed 600 pounds in his current weight class, and possibly move up to the 198-pound weight class and shoot for 700 pounds. While those goals could take years to achieve, Burdette doesn't mind, because lifting has become pure fun for him.
He works out five days a week at the Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base New Orleans physical fitness center, including a three mile jog each morning and an average of two and one-half to three hours of lifting in the afternoons.
But he says the meets are where the enjoyment really is.
"With most sports, there is a lot of negativity towards your opponents. Powerlifting has a different mentality," said Burdette. "Everyone pulls for each other. You want to see everyone exceed their personal best, because you only want to beat a guy on his best day."
Burdette's next competition is in Houston, Sept. 18, where he is hoping to break his newly set record.
