Estonian bench press record: Kaido
An Estonian record was born in Kõrveküla with nerves of steel and big iron: Kaido Leesmann bench pressed 287.5 kg. This story sums up what happened at the veteran Estonian championships on December 17 and why the result is such a big deal in Estonian powerlifting.
Why was the Estonian record such a big deal?
At the veteran Estonian championships held in Kõrveküla on Saturday, December 17, Kaido Leesmann set yet another absolute Estonian bench press record. The result was 287.5 kg. It wasn’t just a win in the age class. It was a clear sign that Leesmann is still among Estonia’s strongest bench pressers.
That improved the previous record by 2.5 kilos. In powerlifting, that number only looks small on paper. Once the bar is already at record weight, even a small increase can mean a big difference in technique, confidence and how the competition day goes.
For the final attempt, Leesmann tried 300 kg. Leesmann got the bar up, but because of a technical error the record was not recorded this time. That is the harsh side of the bench press: strength alone isn’t enough. The pause on the chest, the cleanness of the movement, following the commands and whether the judges see the lift as valid all count too.
How did the Estonian bench press record come about?
At the competition, Kaido took first place in the Masters I category (over 40). Kaido was also named Estonia’s best Masters powerlifter and Estonia’s best bench presser. These titles show that the result wasn’t a random flash in the pan but part of a whole competition day where experience and form came together.
In powerlifting, the bench press looks like a simple lift: lie down on the bench, take the bar, press it up. In reality, there is a lot hidden in the details. The shoulders have to be stable, the legs drive into the floor, the back holds its position and the arms move along a set path. The heavier the weight, the less you can leave to chance.
Honestly, it’s the 300 kg attempt that makes the story so telling. It showed that the limit wasn’t only at 287.5 kg. Leesmann was moving toward an even bigger result, but in powerlifting the rule is clear: only a technically correct lift counts as a record.
What to note about this competition
Before this, Kaido Leesmann was already this year’s European champion and a World Championships bronze medalist. That background adds weight to the result. The record didn’t come out of nowhere; it came from an athlete whose international level had already been proven.
Other athletes in the veteran classes also stood out at the same competition. In the Masters II category (over 50), Oleg Belorusov dominated. In the Masters III category (over 60), Heino Maiste became Estonian champion; Maiste had won silver at the European Championships that same year.
Heino Maiste set Estonian records in both the squat and the bench press. Maiste squatted 190 kg and bench pressed 115 kg. These results are a reminder that veteran powerlifting is no sleepy sideshow. Real work gets done there, and real weights get lifted.
A simple truth: an age class doesn’t make a record worth any less. For Masters athletes, a whole other dimension is added to the result. Training has to suit the body, recovery has to be smarter, and on competition day you can’t rely on youth alone. Experience turns into strength.
The Estonian record and the lesson of the bench press
The most practical lesson from this competition is that in the bench press, it isn’t only a big chest or strong triceps that win. The whole package wins. Training, technique, nerve, pauses, the judges’ commands and a well-timed choice of attempts all play their part.
If the average lifter takes anything away from this story, it could be patience. Records aren’t born from one good workout. They come from years of work, repetitions and the ability to repeat the same movement cleanly again at a hard moment.
FAQ: Estonian bench press record
What result did Kaido Leesmann set the record with?
Kaido Leesmann set the absolute Estonian bench press record with a result of 287.5 kg.
Was the 300 kg attempt recorded as a record?
No. Leesmann did press 300 kg up, but because of a technical error the record was not recorded.
Who else stood out at the same competition?
Oleg Belorusov won the Masters II category (over 50), and Heino Maiste became Estonian champion in the Masters III category (over 60).
Author: EJTL
Source:Turg.Fitness.ee
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