Peters wins bench press at Worlds in Las Vegas
LAS VEGAS, Nev. – There are not many stronger at age 72 than Gilroy weight-lifter Jack Peters – who added another trophy to his showcase with a first-place bench press of 205 pounds at the Dec. 9-13 World Bench Press and Deadlift competition at the Riviera Hotel in Las Vegas.
When the age-weight divisions were determined, Peters, who works out at United World Fitness in Gilroy three times a week, looked around and there was no one else his age competing.
“This kinda bothered me. … (But a judge told me) there’s no one else 68 to 74 that weighed in your weight division that could do what you do,” Peters said. “It’s not my fault.”
Although there was no competition, Peters still amazed by bench pressing 205 pounds to win his division. There were more than 200 competitors at the Worlds, which brought out strong men and women from places like South America, France and Connecticut.
“They came from all over,” said Peters, who moved to Gilroy in 1958 and returned to the gym in the 1960s. “It’s something I enjoy.”
Hollister’s Al Tortorelli took second in the deadlift competition with a lift of 540 pounds.
