Ragnar Ragnarsson wins bench press gold at world championships

Ragnar Ingi Ragnarsson won gold in the bench press at the junior world championships in classic powerlifting in Sun City, South Africa, lifting 155 kilograms, mbl.is reported.

Competing in the under-66-kilogram boys’ category for athletes aged 18 and under, Ragnarsson also set a new Icelandic record in the class. He improved his previous record of 143 kilograms by 12 kilograms.

His three successful bench press attempts were 147.5, 152.5 and 155 kilograms. His winning lift was five kilograms heavier than that of Australia’s Jayden Michaels, while Finland’s Tyrsky Reunanen took bronze.

Ragnarsson finished fifth overall among 13 competitors with a combined total of 572.5 kilograms.

He opened the squat with 197.5 kilograms and then attempted 210 kilograms. Although he completed the lift on his second attempt, two of the three judges ruled it invalid because they considered his squat insufficiently deep.

In the deadlift, Ragnarsson successfully lifted 220 kilograms but failed to lock out 227.5 kilograms. He then attempted 232.5 kilograms, which would have secured third place overall, but was unsuccessful.

The world championships began on Tuesday and continue until next weekend. All eight Icelandic competitors are taking part in classic powerlifting.

Auðunn Jónsson is the Icelandic team’s head coach, assisted by Hinrik Pálsson and Þórunn Brynja Jónsdóttir, who will also serve as a judge.

Guðrún Ásgeirsdóttir is scheduled to compete in the under-69-kilogram girls’ category on Sunday, while Haniem Khalid is due to compete in the under-57-kilogram junior category on Tuesday.