York Barbell • WPO-PRO Weekend • October 17, 2026
Bench Wars
Unlimited
Where the world’s strongest bench pressers go to war.
A qualified bench-only showdown at historic York Barbell, built for lifters who have earned their way onto the platform.
York, Pennsylvania
Qualified Lifters Only
Lifting at 5:00 PM
Unlimited Bench Press
WPO Bench Wars Unlimited is a qualified bench-only competition. The platform is limited to confirmed lifters who have earned their place on the roster.
Unlimited bench press competition at historic York Barbell.
This is not an open-entry event. Confirmed lifters are listed below.
Rules briefing begins at 4:00 PM. Lifting begins at 5:00 PM.
Confirmed Lifters
Women
3 Confirmed- Rochelle Dubbs
- Rae-Ann Miller
- Madelyn Dunn
Men
16 Confirmed- Adam Hawkins
- Jay Anderson
- Bob Merkh
- Nick Myatt
- Matthew Hodge
- Rodney Woodward Jr
- Tony Carlino
- Rich Putnam
- Trevor Bryant
- Ryan Hamscher
- Derek Wade
- Derrick Bender
- Le Roy Vorster
- Tyler Butcher
- Christopher Sutton
- Mike Womack
Weigh-Ins & Meet Day
All athletes must weigh in during one of the listed weigh-in windows. Rules briefing and lifting take place Saturday afternoon.
York Barbell
York Barbell
Photos courtesy of Scott DePanfilis.
York Barbell
& Host Hotel
Bench Wars Weekend takes place at historic York Barbell in York, Pennsylvania. York will be busy with lifters, crews, spectators, and WPO-PRO Weekend events, so athletes and teams should book travel early.
York Barbell
Address:
3300 Board Road
York, PA 17406
York Barbell is one of the most historic locations in strength sports and a fitting stage for WPO Bench Wars Unlimited.
Open MapTru by Hilton York
Address:
1520 Toronita Street
York, PA 17402
Special event room rates are available October 15–18, 2026.
Booking code: 91E
Reserve Host HotelPlan Early
Bench Wars is part of the full WPO-PRO Weekend alongside the WPO World Cup and WPO Pro Super Finals.
Lifters, coaches, handlers, and spectators should arrange lodging and travel as early as possible.
More Lodging Options
Photos courtesy of Scott DePanfilis.
Put Your Brand on the Platform
Bench Wars is part of WPO-PRO Weekend — a serious strength-sport platform built around records, elite lifters, broadcast visibility, and moments that travel far beyond the room.
Sponsor WPO-PRO Weekend
Sponsors are not just buying logo placement. They are aligning with a professional platform built around consequence, pressure, and the biggest attempts of the weekend.
- Event-level visibility across WPO World Cup Weekend
- Livestream and broadcast integration opportunities
- Stage, banner, and backdrop placement
- Award, record, and supporter sponsorship options
- Alignment with York Barbell and WPO-PRO Weekend
Event-specific sponsor positioning for brands that want concentrated visibility around one of the WPO-PRO Weekend stages.
Integration into the broadcast environment, replay archive, lift graphics, and livestream presentation opportunities.
A strong option for gyms, coaches, and brands that want public alignment with WPO-PRO Weekend.
Frequently Asked Questions
Important details for qualified lifters, coaches, handlers, and spectators attending WPO Bench Wars Unlimited at York Barbell.
General
What is WPO Bench Wars Unlimited?
WPO Bench Wars Unlimited is a qualified bench-only competition held as part of WPO-PRO Weekend at York Barbell. It is built for elite bench pressers competing under WPO standards.
When and where is WPO Bench Wars?
WPO Bench Wars takes place Saturday, October 17, 2026, at York Barbell.
Address:
York Barbell
3300 Board Road
York, PA 17406
Is WPO Bench Wars open to everyone?
No. WPO Bench Wars is a qualified-lifters-only event. Athletes must meet qualification standards or receive an invitation.
How do I register?
Registration is limited to qualified lifters. If you have not received the registration link and code, contact AJ Roberts directly.
Registration & Fees
What is the entry fee?
The entry fee for WPO Bench Wars 2026 is $200.
Can I get a refund if I cannot compete?
No. Due to event planning and production costs, all registrations are final and non-refundable.
Can I switch divisions or weight classes after registering?
WPO Bench Wars is competed as an Open division, where the heaviest successful lift wins overall.
Athletes who want their lifts recorded within a specific weight class for record purposes must notify meet staff before weigh-ins. Class changes will not be permitted after weigh-ins.
Qualification
How do I qualify for WPO Bench Wars?
To qualify, athletes must meet one of the recognized qualification standards.
- Men must have a Top 20 bench press in 2025.
- Women must have a Top 10 bench press in 2025.
- If a qualified lifter declines or is unable to compete, invitations may roll down to the next ranked lifter.
- Any lifter who wins Best Lifter Bench Only at APO Nationals in 2025 with a bench press of 950 lb or more receives an invitation.
- Any lifter who benches 1,000 lb or more in 2025 receives an invitation.
- The WPO reserves the right to extend special invitations based on exceptional performances.
Meet Day Details
When and where are weigh-ins?
Weigh-ins take place at York Barbell during the following windows:
- Friday, October 16, 2026 — 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM
- Saturday, October 17, 2026 — 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM
All athletes must weigh in during one of these designated times.
When is the rules briefing and lifting start?
The rules briefing starts Saturday, October 17 at 4:00 PM. Lifting begins at 5:00 PM.
What rules govern the competition?
All lifts will be judged under current WPO rules. The full rulebook is available through the World Powerlifting Organization.
Travel & Hotel
Is there a host hotel?
Yes. The official WPO-PRO Weekend host hotel is Tru by Hilton York.
Address:
1520 Toronita Street
York, PA 17402
Special event room rates are available October 15–18, 2026. Use booking code 91E.
Should I book travel early?
Yes. Bench Wars is part of WPO-PRO Weekend, and York will be busy with lifters, crews, spectators, and other WPO weekend events. Book lodging and travel as early as possible.
Need the Registration Link?
WPO Bench Wars Unlimited is a qualified-lifters-only event. If you are confirmed, qualified, or have questions about registration, contact AJ Roberts directly.
AJ Roberts
Best option for registration link requests, qualification questions, roster updates, and event details.
aj@jroberts.comCall or Text
For direct event questions, registration issues, or time-sensitive communication.
(858) 754-8825The bar is loaded. The platform is ready. Bench Wars is coming to York.