PADUCAH, KY (WSIL) — After a successful debut at the International Powerlifting Federation World Championship last year, Vienna teen Hunter Veach looks to continue his reign as a world champion at the World Bench Press Championships.
Hunter Veach broke out onto the international powerlifting stage last year when he won the gold medal at the International Powerlifting Federation World Championships.
Since then, the 17 year old has focused his time on the bench press at Citizen’s Gym in Paducah, preparing him for the World Bench Press Championships in Tokyo.
"It’s kind of plain, it’s just bench press. It’s only over a few days, of course, it’s in Tokyo, which is going to be the coolest part about it, but for me, it’s just going to be like any other meet that I’m going to, nothing special about it," said Veach.
Over the past several months, bench press has been the sole focus of Veach’s workout regiment, and there has been significant improvements leading up to the Bench Press Championships.
"Really since we last talked and he won the world championships, we have let squats and deadlifts take a back seat for him to prepare for bench press. and in that time, his bench press has gone from 365[pounds] to over 400[pounds], and that’s just because we’ve been focusing on it a lot more," said Nick Jacobs, the head trainer at Citizen’s Gym and Veach’s strength coach.
Those improvements have the Vienna-native feeling pretty confident that he will be extending his reign as world champion.
"The guy I’m going against, his max is only 335[pounds], and my opener is 30 pounds more than his max," said Veach.
While the title ‘World Champion� is enticing, Veach says there are more pressing matters to tend to while in Tokyo.
"The food, I love sushi with a passion, and that’s really what I’m most I’m most excited to go there for," said Veach.
Veach heads to Tokyo for sushi and the World Bench Press Championships May 18-25.
