Weil sets world records in lifting

Mel Weil, 41, of Whitefish didn't just break a world powerlifting record in the bench press, he annihilated it.

Weil pressed 451 pounds on Sept. 4 at the American Powerlifting Federation's Raw World Championships in Idaho Falls, Idaho.

The old mark of 297 pounds was held by a Russian.

Weil competes in the Masters 40-and-up division at the 198-pound weight class.

He also set a total world record of 1,351 pounds for squat (440), bench (451) and deadlift (460). The old record for his division and weight class was 1,298 pounds.

That was a personal best for Weil in the squat. He has a 470 bench press and 570 deadlift, but at heavier weight classes.

"My first world records," he said. "I've held some national records, a lot of state records."

Weil has been competing for 21 years.

"That's what I went in hoping to accomplish," Weil said.

"I was a little surprised in the bench press. I had a good day in that."

Weil credits much of his success to Next Level Fitness in Whitefish.

"That's where I workout," he said.

Weil is the captain of the Next Level Fitness Powerlifting Team.

Up next for Weil is the Iron Warrior competition in Dillon on Oct. 9.