Jalen Nelson looks to continue his success in bench press competition in Austin, TX next month (Submitted/Ryan Nelson)

By Cam Lee

Bench press championships

Pumping iron: Melfort native hoping to win at World Bench Press Championships

Apr 27, 2024 | 12:00 PM

A local weightlifter will be heading to the International Powerlifting Federation World Bench Press Championships next month.

Melfort’s Jalen Nelson, 23, is travelling to Austin, TX to represent Canada at the event.

Jalen’s father Ryan told northeastNOW his son started lifting weights for high school football in Grade 10, and by the following year he was already benching 200 lbs.

Jalen then found Danny Heintz of Bridge City Barbell in 2021 to help coach him. Nelson started going to competitions for powerlifting, including squat, bench, and deadlift in the 66 kg weight class.

Nelson has been very successful in his competitive career, breaking the Saskatchewan Powerlifting provincial bench press record eight times. He currently holds the Men’s Classic provincial record for his weight class by benching 150 kg (330 lbs) at provincials in Moose Jaw.

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That performance led to his spot representing the country at the event in Austin May 21 to June 1, where athletes from over 60 countries will converge.

Athletes ranging in age from 14 to 80 will participate at the championships.

You can watch Jalen perform on the bench press on CBS May 22 at 5 p.m.

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Cam.lee@pattisonmedia.com

On X: @northeastNOW_SK