At 17, New York student Liam Anderson breaks national bench press record with 396 pounds, then breaks his own record again with 402 pounds | International Sports News
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. He entered the competition knowing that this could be one of his final chances to set the record before moving into a new age group after turning 18.The teenager had spent the month before the competition preparing specifically for the record attempt. His training was built around getting his body and mind ready to handle the weight he knew he would need to lift in Texas.His second attempt was the first big moment of the day. Anderson successfully pressed 180 kilograms, or around 396 pounds. The lift was enough to break the existing American record for the 16-to-17 age group at up to 82.5 kilograms.But Anderson was not finished. He still had one attempt remaining, and instead of simply protecting the record he had already earned, he decided to raise the weight. He put 182.5 kilograms on the bar, which is roughly 402 pounds, and went back for his final lift.Anderson completed the attempt. That meant he had broken the national record twice in the same competition. His first successful lift created a new record, and his final lift pushed the mark even higher.Anderson later told NEWS10 ABC that he felt very confident before his second attempt because he had trained specifically for the record during the month leading up to the competition. The third attempt, however, felt different. He said he did not know what would happen when he stepped up to the bar and described the final lift as being driven by pure adrenaline.Anderson also said he was thinking about his mother during that final attempt. When the lift was completed, 182.5 kilograms became his new national record.
How did Liam Anderson become a record-setting powerlifter so quickly?
Anderson’s rise is especially interesting because he has not been competing in powerlifting for a very long time. He only started lifting in 2025, meaning much of his progress has come in a relatively short period.His competitive career with USA Powerlifting became more active in early 2026. He quickly began making a name for himself in his age and weight class, and his performances showed that he could compete with some of the strongest young lifters in the country.Before his record-breaking performance in Texas, Anderson had already set a New York State record in his age and weight class in November 2025. That achievement gave him another target to chase.As his strength continued to improve, Anderson began focusing on the national record. The timing made the goal even more important because his 18th birthday was approaching later in September.Once Anderson turned 18, he would leave the 16-to-17 age division and move into a new age group. That left him with a limited amount of time to make his attempt. The Southwest Regional Championships came at the right moment.Anderson had spent the month before the competition training with the national record in mind. Rather than simply hoping for a good performance, he had a specific number he wanted to reach.In the end, he reached it and then went beyond it. His two successful lifts turned what could have been a normal competition into the biggest moment of his young powerlifting career.
What happened when Anderson competed at Bench Nationals?
The record in Texas came after another important competition for Anderson earlier in 2026.In July, he competed at Bench Nationals. Although he did not break the American record at that event, his performance still brought him an important achievement.Anderson earned a place on the USA Powerlifting National Bench Press Team.The result showed that his progress was not limited to one competition. By that point, he had already established himself as a serious young competitor in the sport.Anderson was also invited to represent the United States at the 2026 International Drug Free Powerlifting Association World Championships in Hjalteyri, Iceland, in October.However, he decided not to compete at the world championships because the trip would conflict with his school schedule.That decision did not change his focus.Instead, Anderson continued training and kept working toward the national record he wanted to break before his 18th birthday. The work eventually paid off at the Southwest Regional Championships.His performance there also gave him a memorable way to finish his time in the 16-to-17 division. Rather than leaving the age group with one national record, he left it after setting the mark twice during the same competition.
What is next for Liam Anderson after breaking the record?
Anderson already has another goal waiting for him. After setting the 182.5-kilogram national record, he said he wants to chase the world record in the 18-to-19 age division once he moves up. He also has a long-term goal of bench pressing 500 pounds before turning 20.For a teenager who only began lifting in 2025, his progress has happened quickly. In less than two years, he has gone from starting out in the gym to setting a New York State record, competing at Bench Nationals, earning a place on the USA Powerlifting National Bench Press Team and breaking the national bench press record twice in one competition.It is also important to understand the sport behind Anderson’s achievement. Powerlifting is different from Olympic weightlifting. Powerlifting includes the squat, bench press and deadlift, while weightlifting is based on the snatch and the clean and jerk. Some powerlifting competitions focus on all three lifts, while others, such as bench press competitions, focus on a specific lift.USA Powerlifting is a drug-tested powerlifting organization in the United States. It was established in 1981 as the American Drug Free Powerlifting Association.Anderson now moves into a new stage of his career. His 16-to-17 age division ends with a 182.5-kilogram, or about 402-pound, national record beside his name. His next challenge will be competing in the 18-to-19 division and seeing how far he can take the strength he has built in such a short time.
