Big James Henderson

James Gregory Henderson, also known as Big James Henderson and James "Hollywood" Henderson, (born April 9, 1965) is a former American powerlifter who specialized in the bench press. He competed in the International Powerlifting Federation (IPF) and was five times Super Heavyweight World Bench Press Champion. He was the second man to bench press over 700 pounds [lb] (317.5 kg) and the second man to bench press over 700 lbs raw. James set numerous world records throughout his career, including the all-time world record in the raw (unassisted) bench press with 711 lb (323 kg).

James Henderson
Born (1965-04-09) April 9, 1965
Roxbury, Massachusetts, United States of America
Other namesBig James Henderson, James "Hollywood" Henderson
Occupation(s)Powerlifter, Preacher, Motivational speaker
Height6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)
SpouseShelia Henderson
Websitehttp://www.bigjameshenderson.com/
Competition record
Powerlifting - Bench Press
Representing  United States
IPF Bench Press World Championships[1]
1st 1994 +125kg
1st 1995 +125kg
1st 1996 +125kg
1st 1997 +125kg
1st 1998 +125kg
USPF National Powerlifting Championships[1]
3rd 1996 +125kg

Powerlifting career

Henderson won five consecutive bench press world titles from the International Powerlifting Federation in the 1990s:

Henderson became the second man to bench press over 700 lb raw in May 1996 when he pressed 705 lb in just a T-shirt and made it on the cover of Powerlifting USA magazine.[8]

Personal records

Powerlifting competition record:

done in official powerlifting meets

  • Bench press - 711.0 lb (322.5 kg) @ 390 lb (SHW) raw without wrist wraps and belt (July 13, 1997 USPF/IPF)[9][10]
→ former IPF world record in SHW class (+regardless of weight class) for over 7 years; surpassed by Brian Siders's 712.1 lb (323.0 kg) (equipped in singleply bench shirt) in 2004
→ former all-time raw world record in SHW class (+regardless of weight class); surpassed by Scot Mendelson's 713 lbs (323.4 kg) (raw) in 2003[11]
→ current all-time drug-tested raw world record in SHW class (+regardless of weight class) since 1997[11]

Gym record (unofficial):

done in the gym according to James himself

  • Bench press - 744 lb (337.5 kg)[12] raw without wrist wraps and belt

Heaviest lift

James Henderson is the current world record holder for heaviest drug tested raw bench press in history and the highest raw bench press ever done in a full powerlifting 3-lift-meet (squat-bench press-deadlift). His record setting lift was 711.0 lbs. (322.5 kg)[13] and was performed on July 13, 1997, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania as the 3rd attempt at the USPF Senior Nationals (IPF/USPF sanctioned three-lift-event) under strict IPF-conditions.[9][11] On the same day, he pressed 683 lb (309.8 kg) on the 1st, 699.9 lb (317.5 kg) on the 2nd and even went for 722 lb (327.5 kg) on the 4th, but barely missed it. Henderson bench pressed unequipped in the strictest meaning of the word - without belt, without elbow bandages and even without wrist wraps - in just a T-shirt and a singlet. Although Shear'Ree was the first man to bench press 700 pounds (317.5 kg), Henderson has his place in the record books as the second ever to press 700 pounds raw, without a bench press shirt.[14]

Personal life

Henderson is a graduate of Mercer University, where he obtained a bachelor's degree in theology and psychology. He also attended Albany State University, where he played football from 1984 to 1986.[15] His career as an offensive lineman ended when he blew out his knee.[16]

In 1989 Henderson was convicted of drug trafficking and obstruction of justice, and was sentenced to 50 years in prison. He served 3 years at Rivers State Prison before being paroled and later pardoned in 1992. While at Rivers State he began reading the Bible and became a devoted born again Christian.[17] Now Henderson gives motivational speeches to groups such as students, business leaders, and prisoners. He currently tours the Georgia Prison System as a speaker for Heartbound Ministries. During his appearances he tells his story of how he became the bench press champion and performs feats of strength.

See also

References
  1. "James Henderson Powerlifting statistics (incomplete)". en.allpowerlifting.com. Retrieved 2012-10-01.
  2. "1994 IPF Mens Bench Press Championships Järvenpää, Finland. 4th and 5th December 1994". International Powerlifting Federation. Archived from the original on 2009-06-25. Retrieved 2008-12-23.
  3. Video: James Henderson bnech pressing 282.5kg at the IPF World Championships, 1994 Järvenpää
  4. "1995 IPF Mens Bench Press Championships Frydek-Mistek, Czech Republic". International Powerlifting Federation. Archived from the original on 2009-06-25. Retrieved 2008-12-23.
  5. "1996 I.P.F. Bench Press World Championships Silkeborg, Denmark November 29 - Dec 01 1996". International Powerlifting Federation. Archived from the original on 2009-06-25. Retrieved 2008-12-23.
  6. "1997 IPF Bench Worlds Leduc, Canada, December 5–7". International Powerlifting Federation. Archived from the original on 2009-04-27. Retrieved 2008-12-23.
  7. "9th IPF World Bench Press Championship, December 11–13, Amberg German". International Powerlifting Federation. Archived from the original on 2009-06-25. Retrieved 2008-12-23.
  8. "Powerlifting USA, volume 19 number 10 (cover with James Henderson pressing 705 in a t-shirt)". Powerlifting USA magazine. vintagemusclemags.com.
  9. "ALL TIME HISTORICAL MEN AND WOMEN'S POWERLIFTING WORLD RECORDS" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2013-06-03. Retrieved 2013-06-25.
  10. "World Powerlifting Records". HickokSports.com. Powerlifting Watch. Archived from the original on 2013-01-25. Retrieved 2012-10-01.
  11. Vasquez, Johnny. "Men's Raw World Records". PowerliftingWatch.com. Retrieved 2012-10-12.
  12. Rodriquez, Ken. "My story BY JAMES HENDERSON with Ken Rodriquez". James Henderson. connectionmagazine.org. Archived from the original on 2011-09-29. Retrieved 2013-04-11.
  13. Guinness World Records Editors, Mark C. Young, ed. (1999). The Guinness Book of World Records 1999. Bantam Books. ISBN 0-553-58075-2. OCLC 41382761. {{cite book}}: |editor= has generic name (help)
  14. Vasquez, Johnny. "600 Pound Unequipped Bench Press Hall of Fame". PowerliftingWatch.com. Retrieved 2012-10-12.
  15. http://www.mvpspeakers.com/Bio.asp?SpeakerName=Henderson%2C+James Archived 2008-09-22 at the Wayback Machine MVP Speakers Bio
  16. Getting Stronger My story BY JAMES HENDERSON with Ken Rodriquez
  17. Parolee Finds Success: Rev. James “Hollywood” Henderson, By John Mooney, Dooley State Prison Archived July 24, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
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