Arnold Sports Festival, Columbus, Ohio
The 2026 Arnold Sports Festival once again served as one of the premier stages for USA Powerlifting, showcasing elite strength across multiple events including the Open & Masters Bench Bash, the Masters Raw Challenge, the Para Bench event, and several full-power competitions. Across the weekend, athletes from around the globe demonstrated exceptional strength, setting records, delivering dramatic finishes, and highlighting the depth of talent across the federation.
Standout Performances at the Bench Bash
The Open & Masters Bench Bash produced some of the biggest lifts of the festival.
In the Men’s Raw Open division, Indiana’s Aaron Letinski claimed the title with a massive 252.5 kg (557 lb) bench press, which also produced the highest DOTS score of the meet. Close behind was Daryl Funk, whose 250 kg bench press secured runner-up honors and demonstrated the impressive strength present in the Masters.
The equipped division belonged to Nick Benerakis, who dominated the field with a 295 kg (650 lb) bench press, the largest lift of the entire competition and an 80-kilogram margin over the next closest competitor.
In the women’s division, Jennifer Thompson delivered one of the weekend’s defining performances. The powerlifting legend won the Women’s Raw Open title with a 132.5 kg (292 lb) bench press, the top DOTS score among all female lifters. Thompson later broke her own Masters world record with an unofficial 142.5 kg fourth attempt, further cementing her consistent performance on the platform.
In the Women’s Equipped division, Natalie Richardson impressed with a 180 kg (396 lb) bench press to take the title. She later raised the bar to 183 kg (403.5 lb) on a fourth attempt to set a new American record and claim Best Lifter honors among equipped competitors.
Daryl Funk’s 250 kg raw bench secured him the Men’s Masters overall title, while David Sneen and Howard Aaron rounded out the podium. Aaron’s 151 kg bench press reportedly set a new Masters IV American record and drew a standing ovation from the crowd.
In the Men’s Equipped Masters, Robert Evans delivered one of the weekend’s most memorable performances, bench pressing 130 kg to claim the overall victory.
Jennifer Thompson continued her outstanding lifting in the Women’s Masters Raw division, easily winning with her 132.5 kg bench press, more than 40 kilograms ahead of the rest of the field. In the Masters Equipped division, Elizabeth Richardson secured the title with a 102.5 kg bench press.
Wickham and Thompson Lead the Masters Raw Challenge
The Masters Raw Challenge showcased full powerlifting performances.
Alejandro Wickham produced a flawless 9-for-9 performance to win the men’s overall title. His meet included a 370 kg squat, 235 kg bench press, and 335 kg deadlift for a 940 kg total and 516.28 points, the highest score of the competition.
In the women’s division, Jennifer Thompson once again took the spotlight. Her 157.5 kg squat, 130 kg bench, and 198 kg deadlift totaled 485.5 kg, securing the overall win. Her 198 kg deadlift was identified during the broadcast as a world record.
Para Bench Debuts at the Arnold
USA Powerlifting also introduced the first-ever Para Bench session at the Arnold, expanding the sport’s reach and accessibility. The competition used specialized equipment and a start-and-rack command format consistent with Move United Para Powerlifting rules.
Several athletes delivered standout performances:
- Curran Marshall, weighing only 48.8 kg, pressed 112.5 kg, more than double his bodyweight.
- Alexander Saleh completed a strong 150 kg bench press.
- Cason Weatherton finished with 125 kg on his final attempt.
The session closed with the heaviest lift of the event, as Bobby Body bench pressed 240 kg (529 lb) in the Legends division, drawing one of the biggest reactions of the weekend.
In the women’s division, Laura Stark recorded the heaviest lift at 82.5 kg, while Abbey Phillipson finished with 70 kg after successfully completing all three attempts.
Elite Raw Lifters Battle for the Overall Title
The USA Powerlifting Male Raw Challenge featured a deep field of national-level competitors competing for overall placement based on DOTS points. After a tightly contested meet, Lorenzo Wright surged to victory with an 887.5 kg total, including a 352.5 kg squat, 205 kg bench, and 330 kg deadlift, earning 547.82 DOTS points.
Margaret Necaise delivered a dominant performance to win the USA Powerlifting Female Raw Challenge at the Arnold Sports Festival, securing the overall title with a 610.5-kilogram total and 570.336 DOTS after a near-flawless meet highlighted by a 230 kg squat and a 258 kg deadlift, both recognized as world-record lifts. Necaise built an early lead in the squat session and extended it through bench press with a perfect series up to 122.5 kg, putting the field in a chase position heading into deadlifts.
Battle of the Regions Closes the Weekend
The Arnold weekend concluded with the Battle of the Regions, an invitational meet featuring top finishers from the 2025 regional championships.
In the women’s competition, Shandel Yanney secured the title with 469.822 DOTS, sealing the victory with a 187.5 kg deadlift.
The men’s title went to Toby Headley, who totaled lifts of 320 kg squat, 220 kg bench press, and 320 kg deadlift for 519.263 DOTS points.
EmpowerID Nationals also made a strong debut at the Arnold Sports Festival.
In its first appearance on the Arnold stage, the EmpowerID Nationals meet brought together lifters from across the country for a full-power competition and delivered several standout performances. Earl Beechum led the squat session with 185 kg, Charlie Phillips posted the top bench press at 137.5 kg, and Phillips and Philip McLemore tied for the heaviest deadlift of the day with 210 kg. The competition also featured multiple flawless performances, with Melissa Johnson, Mia Schiedenhelm, Ashlee Lockerman, and Earl Beechum all going 9-for-9, helping make EmpowerID Nationals a memorable addition to USA Powerlifting’s Arnold weekend.
A Weekend Showcasing the Depth of the Sport
From world record-setting performances and displays of exemplary strength, the 2026 Arnold Sports Festival highlighted the breadth of talent across USA Powerlifting. Whether it was Jennifer Thompson’s continued excellence, Alejandro Wickham’s flawless meet, or the debut of para powerlifting on one of the sport’s biggest stages, the event reinforced the Arnold’s status as a premier showcase for powerlifting accomplishment.
Meet Results – Bench Bash
Meet Results – Masters Raw Challenge
Meet Results – Para Bench
Meet Results – Male Raw Challenge
Meet Results – Battle of the Regions
Meet Results – EmpowerID Nationals
Powerlifting.com meet coverage based on official results, event reporting, and on-site or published sources. Photos courtesy of Barbell Productions.
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