Bench press at the Defence Forces competition
The bench press was one of the clearest highlights of the “Spirit and Might” sports day held at Kalev Sports Hall in Tallinn on April 25. Here is a summary of what happened at the competition, who was there and how the results were recorded.
Why the bench press stood out that day
On Sunday, April 25, Kalev Sports Hall in Tallinn hosted another sports day called “Spirit and Might”, organized by the Estonian Sports Society Kalev. This was not a one-sport event. Several heavy athletics disciplines were brought together on one floor, and the hall was busy as a result.
Side by side, there was the Georg Lurich wrestling competition, the Estonian Defence Forces Bench Press Championships and a judo competition with a large number of participants. A mix like this gives the day a different feel. You don’t see just one bar or one mat, but the whole picture of strength sport.
This report focuses on the Defence Forces bench press competition. Several well-known powerlifters connected to the Defence Forces or the Defence League were present: Eero Laasner from the Scouts Battalion, Sergei Baumer from the Scouts Battalion, Sergei Baumer, known from bodybuilding stages, and veteran Rain Suurkivi from the Tallinn Defence League, who had taken part in powerlifting competitions for more than 25 years.
How the bench press was scored
Competition ran in both individual and team classifications. The rule was simple but tough: lifters pressed their own body weight, rounded up. If your body weight was, for example, 70.8 kg, you had to press a 72.5 kg bar.
Honestly, this makes the results very easy to read. It isn’t only about who is strongest for one rep. What counts here is work capacity, technique and the ability to keep your reps clean even as the bar starts to feel heavier and heavier.
The prize table was provided by Sports Society Kalev and Robocop OÜ, a supplement company that has supported powerlifters for years. On site, 5x Estonian absolute champion Ott Kiivikas offered tastings and presented supplements. Participants and spectators had the chance to ask for advice on nutrition and supplements.
Thanks for the smooth running of the competition go to chief referee Ants Rosenbaum, chief secretary Margus Silbaum and Rain Suurkivi. The photo coverage was taken on by Arnold Tokko, president of the Bodybuilding Federation. The role of event host was filled by Raimo Aas, who had already held that job at heavy athletics competitions for years.
Bench press: results and protocol
The protocol shows well how varied the participants were. Body weights ranged from 73.3 kg to 118.9 kg, but the idea of the competition stayed the same for everyone: with a weight close to your own body weight, you had to do as many repetitions as possible.
| Name | Year of birth | Club | Body weight | Result | Place |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sergei Baumer | 1979 | Scouts Bn | 75.35 kg | 77.5×34 | 1st |
| Rain Suurkivi | 1956 | Tallinn Defence League | 87.4 kg | 87.5×27 | 2nd |
| Erik Saar | 1980 | Scouts Bn | 78.45 kg | 80×23 | 3rd |
| Eero Laasner | 1968 | Scouts Bn | 118.9 kg | 120×21 | 4th |
| Erki Krüman | 1982 | Logistics Bn | 84.2 kg | 85×20 | 5th |
| Tauno Peedu | 1978 | Reconnaissance Bn | 84.30 kg | 85×19 | 6th |
| Rene Poljakov | Logistics Bn | 105.7 kg | 107.5×17 | 7th | |
| Marek Bankiir | 1979 | Logistics Bn | 91.2 kg | 92.5×16 | 8th |
| Marko Laikask | 1982 | Guard Bn | 80.7 kg | 82.5×16 | 9th |
| Jaanus Jõgis | 1976 | Logistics Bn | 78.7 kg | 80×15 | 10th |
| Reno Ragun | 1980 | Reconnaissance Bn | 76.45 kg | 77.5×11 | 11th |
| Ragnar Raide | 1976 | Reconnaissance Bn | 108.80 kg | 110×10 | 12th |
| Oliver Ventsel | 1982 | Guard Bn | 75.9 kg | 77.5×10 | 13th |
| Evari Väli | 1985 | Guard Bn | 73.3 kg | 75×7 | 14th |
Sergei Baumer took first place with 77.5×34. Rain Suurkivi came second with 87.5×27 and Erik Saar third with 80×23. In terms of repetitions, the top three were clearly ahead, but the rest of the table also gives a good picture of how demanding this format is.
Team classification and the day in summary
In the team classification, the Scouts Battalion collected the most repetitions. That is not surprising, as the Scouts Battalion was strongly represented in the individual protocol. Here the team result depends on every man, not just on one standout performance.
| Team | Result | Place |
|---|---|---|
| Scouts Battalion | 78x | 1st |
| Logistics Battalion | 52x | 2nd |
| Reconnaissance Battalion | 40x | 3rd |
| Guard Battalion | 33x | 4th |
| Tallinn Defence League | 27x | 5th |
The simple truth: in a format like this, strength alone isn’t enough. You need a good sense of pace, a secure grip, a solid arch and a cool head. If you rush the first reps, you pay for it at the end. But if you keep the rhythm too slow, you lose momentum before your total has a chance to climb.
FAQ: bench press at the competition
Why was body weight rounded up?
Under the competition rules, each athlete pressed a barbell matched to their body weight. If their body weight fell in between, the load was rounded up. For example, at 70.8 kg a 72.5 kg barbell was used.
Did the result show only maximal strength?
No. Above all, the result showed the ability to perform repetitions with a weight close to your own body weight. It is a mix of strength, endurance, technique and competition nerves.
Who was the best at the bench press that day?
In the individual standings, Sergei Baumer won with a result of 77.5×34. In the team standings, the Scouts Battalion came out on top with 78x.
Author: Ott Kiivikas
Source: WHO – physical activity.
Come and train! ArtGym
