Avancia bench press competition in Tartu
The bench press competition at the Avancia beauty and sports center in Tartu was different from an ordinary bench press meet. On October 5, it wasn’t only the heaviest lift that counted, but also how long an athlete could hold out under a barbell loaded to half their body weight.
The event brought powerlifters, rowers and coaches to the same bar. That made the day interesting: raw strength mattered, but endurance could completely turn the result around.
What made the Avancia bench press competition stand out?
The competition organized by Avancia wasn’t a classic powerlifting day where equipment helps lifters move the maximum weight. The use of powerlifting equipment was banned. That put all competitors in a simpler and fairer situation: barbell, bench, technique and your own strength.
The head judge and host was Tarmo Mitt, a four-time winner of Estonia’s Strongest Man title. A name like that immediately added weight to the event, because the judge had to make sure presses met the rules and that reps in the second round did not degrade into half-hearted partial movements.
The organizers’ idea was simple: to bring athletes from other sports into the world of strength sports. This suited rowers especially well, as barbell training is part of their general physical preparation. Several of them train at Avancia, and it was their endurance that gave them a real chance against the powerlifters.
A bench press competition with two rounds
The final result was decided over two rounds. The first round resembled an ordinary bench press competition: competitors went for a maximum bench press. There were only two attempts, so the choice of weight had to be precise. Playing it too safe left kilos on the table. Being too bold could ruin the result.
In the second round, competitors had to press a barbell weighing half their own body weight. The goal was to reach the highest possible rep count, to the limit of their ability. This is where the athletes with better endurance could play out their advantage.
The final result was calculated with this formula: (max. press body weight)*2 + (max. reps*2) = final result. This meant that a single big attempt wasn’t necessarily enough to win. You needed both strength and work capacity.
Results by class
Competitors were divided into three classes: youth, juniors and seniors. Trophies were awarded based on the combined result of the two competitions. The previous competition had been held at Avancia more than half a year earlier, so the final standings were also influenced by who showed up for the second leg and who didn’t.
In the youth class, Eiki Rosenthal won on the combined result of the two legs. Rosenthal’s maximum came to 85 kg. Second place went to 15-year-old Jaagup Pilv, Estonian youth champion in rowing. Pilv pressed 100 kg at a body weight of 70 kg, and then pressed 35 kg for 109 reps. Kaspar Korjus came third.
Among the juniors, the winner was Hardi Nurmine, son of Aivo Nurmis, one of Estonia’s most famous powerlifters and bench pressers. The result showed that following in a father’s footsteps was no empty phrase: max.115kg. For his second attempt he chose 130 kg, but unfortunately he did not record a valid lift. In the second round, Nurmine pressed 35 kg for 74 reps.
Another junior, Siim Kaljurand, was also an Estonian youth champion in rowing. Kaljurand’s body weight was 70 kg, and the results were 100 kg and 35 kg for 180 reps. It’s a good example of how endurance throws strength athletes’ plans off in this kind of format. A third rower, Kert Otti, recorded 100 kg and 35 kg for 105 reps.
The seniors were dominated by Peeter Becker, who had just arrived back from the rowing World Championships with a 13th place. At a body weight of 80 kg, Becker pressed 127.5 kg and then 40 kg for 143 reps. Second was Avancia’s manager Ranno Rumm, who also rows. Rumm’s max. result was 127.5 kg and 41 kg for 109 reps.
Third place went to Erkki Sardell” Laiv. Unfortunately, they missed the second leg, even though in the organizers’ view they were undoubtedly Estonia’s most talented bench presser. Frankly, a showdown between Laiv and the rowers would have been interesting to see.
What did the bench press competition teach us?
The main lesson of the day was clear: the bench press is not just about a single heavy repetition. Add a rep round to the competition format, and a much broader picture emerges. One athlete may shine with maximum weight, while another collects points through consistent work.
This format suits club competitions well. It also gives a chance to those who aren’t specifically powerlifters but whose training builds a strong upper body and good muscular endurance. The rowers’ results showed this especially well.
Competitors received trophies as well as special prizes: supplements, drink bottles and T-shirts. These were provided by Robocop OÜ. The downside was technical: because of a technical fault, not a single photo of the competition was taken.
Avancia beauty and sports center, the organizer of the competition, thanked Robocop OÜ and the judge and host Tarmo Mitt for their help. The hope was also expressed that the cooperation will continue in the future.
FAQ
What made the Avancia competition different from an ordinary bench press meet?
The difference was the two-round system. First, competitors pressed a maximum weight, then a barbell loaded to half their body weight for as many reps as possible.
Why did the rowers do so well in this format?
Rowers have a strong general physical base and good muscular endurance. The rep round gave them a chance to compete on more equal terms with the powerlifters.
Who ran the competition?
The head judge and host of the competition was Tarmo Mitt, a four-time winner of Estonia’s Strongest Man title.
Author: Ranno Rumm, Rain Karu
Source: WHO – physical activity.
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