View source for Scot Mendelson

{{short description|American armwrestler and powerlifter (born 1969)}}
{{Infobox sportsperson
| name        = Scot Mendelson
| image       =
| image_size  = 
| occupation  = [[Powerlifting]], [[Personal trainer]]
| employer    = Self-employed
| caption     = 
| birth_name  = Scot Mendelson
| birth_date  = {{birth date and age|1969|02|21|mf=y}}
| birth_place = 
| nickname    = "Mendy"
| nationality = {{flag|USA|name=American}}
| height      = {{height|ft=5|in=11}}<ref name="Menches"/>
| weight      = 270 - 360 lbs (122 - 163kg) active<ref name="en.allpowerlifting.com"/>
| website     =  
}}
{{CompetitionRecordTableTop|}}
{{CompetitionRecordSport | [[Powerlifting#Bench press|Powerlifting - Bench Press]]}}
{{CompetitionRecordCountry | {{USA}} }}
{{CompetitionRecordCompetition| [[World Powerlifting Congress|WPC World Bench Press Championships]]}}<ref name="en.allpowerlifting.com"/>
{{CompetitionRecordFirst | 2000 | 140kg }}
{{CompetitionRecordFirst | 2001 | 140kg }}
{{CompetitionRecordFirst | 2008 |+140kg }}
{{CompetitionRecordCompetition| [[Powerlifting#Bench press|WPO World Record Bench Bash]]}}<ref name="en.allpowerlifting.com"/>
{{CompetitionRecordFirst | 2002 |+140kg }}
{{CompetitionRecordCompetition| [[Powerlifting#Bench press|WPO Bench Bash For Cash]]}}<ref name="en.allpowerlifting.com"/>
{{CompetitionRecordFirst | 2002 |+140kg }}
{{CompetitionRecordCompetition| [[Powerlifting#Bench press|World Power Stars International Meet]]}}<ref name="en.allpowerlifting.com"/>
{{CompetitionRecordSecond | 2007 | UNL }}
{{CompetitionRecordCompetition| [[Powerlifting#Bench press|World Power Stars]]}}<ref name="en.allpowerlifting.com"/>
{{CompetitionRecordSecond | 2007 |+140kg }}
{{CompetitionRecordBottom}}

'''Scot Mendelson''' (born February 21, 1969) is an American [[powerlifting|powerlifter]] and [[Arm wrestling|armwrestler]] who specializes in the [[bench press]].<ref>Archived at [https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211211/NXFrftmieug Ghostarchive]{{cbignore}} and the [https://web.archive.org/web/20210105135542/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NXFrftmieug&gl=US&hl=en Wayback Machine]{{cbignore}}: {{cite AV media| url = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NXFrftmieug| title = Scott Mendelson about fight with Cyplenkov. | website=[[YouTube]]}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

During his career he set 64 [[Progression of the bench press world record|world records]]<ref name="pantheon">{{cite web|url=https://strengthrecord.com/#Strength%20Record%20Pantheon%E2%80%8B |title=STRENGTH RECORD PANTHEON, the most prolific record breakers of all time across all strength sports |website=www.strengthrecord.com |access-date=9 April 2025}}</ref> predominantly in bench pressing and was the raw (unassisted) world record holder in the 308-pound weight class with {{convert|701|lb|kg|abbr=on|1|}} from 2002 to 2020 and the [[bench shirt|equipped]] world record holder in the 275-pound class with {{convert|1031|lb|kg|abbr=on|1|}} from 2009 to 2021. He also held the all-time world record in the raw bench press, regardless of weight class with {{convert|715|lb|kg|abbr=on|1|}} for 8 years.

He's the only man in the world to hold both raw and equipped (multi-ply) world records, and is widely regarded as one of the greatest bench pressers of all-time.<ref>{{cite journal |title=Scot Mendelson, Bench press champion |journal=Monster Muscle Mag |date=February 2006 |volume=4 |issue=1 |pages=46–47 |url=https://www.benchpresschampion.com/BIBLIO/Mendelson.pdf}}</ref>

==Early life==
Mendelson is [[Jewish]], and grew up in [[Brooklyn, New York]].<ref name="Menches">[http://www.jewishjournal.com/health/article/menches_you_dont_want_to_mess_with_20050701/ Menches You Don’t Want to Mess With at jewishjournal.com]</ref> His maternal grandfather [[Morris Reif]], known as the "Bronxville Bomber" was [[Rocky Marciano]]'s stable mate and scored 75 knockouts in 115 fights.<ref name="Menches"/> In his youth Mendelson loved sports and played [[baseball]] and [[American football]]. Starting strength training when he reached his teens, he moved into the sport of [[wrestling]] and [[boxing]], where he first recognized his rapid growth in strength.<ref name="muscle-munch">[http://www.muscle-munch.com/muscle-munch-talks-with-powerlifter-scot-mendelson.html Muscle-Munch Interview with Scot - 2012]</ref> Then he moved into [[bodybuilding]]. With his pure strength showing even more through his bodybuilding training, Mendelson decided to become a powerlifter.<ref name="musclepower">[http://www.musclepowershop.com/2009/03/scot-mendelson.html Scot Mendelson biography at musclepowershop.com]</ref>

==Powerlifting career==
Mendelson started as a raw benchpresser and in 2000, benched {{convert|545.6|lb|kg|abbr=on|1|}} raw at APF 	California State & LALC Invitational. He then moved into equipped division in multi-ply category and benched {{convert|600|lb|kg|abbr=on|1|}} during the same year in APF Los Angeles Lifting Club competition.<ref name="openpl">{{cite web |title=Scot Mendelson (M)|url=https://www.openpowerlifting.org/u/scotmendelson |website=Openpowerlifting.org |author=Anonymous | date=11 September 2021 | access-date=21 November 2024}}</ref>

During 2001 APF Senior Nationals, Mendelson benched {{convert|650.3|lb|kg|abbr=on|1|}} in multi-ply and in the same year at WPC World Championships in South Africa bettered it to {{convert|738.5|lb|kg|abbr=on|1|}}. By the end of 2002, he took his equipped PR to {{convert|782.6|lb|kg|abbr=on|1|}}.<ref name="openpl"/>

In 2002	APF Northern California Open Championships in [[San Francisco]], Mendelson bench pressed {{convert|701|lb|kg|abbr=on|1|}} raw becoming the second person in history after [[Big James Henderson|James Henderson]] to bench press 700 lb raw. It was also the all-time world record for the 308 lb (heavyweight) class.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.powerliftingwatch.com/records/raw/world/|title=All-time RAW Powerlifting world records compiled and updated by PowerliftingWatch.com|accessdate=2007-08-19}}</ref>

===Raw world record===
In 2003 APF West Coast Push-Pull championships @ Starks Gym The Live Free or Die Family in [[Stark's Gym The Live Free or Die Family San Carlos, California|San Carlos]], Mendelson broke Henderson's five-year old {{convert|711|lb|kg|abbr=on|1|}} all-time raw bench press world record regardless of weight classes with {{convert|713.2|lb|kg|abbr=on|1|}} with only his 2nd lift.

In 2003 APF Senior Nationals, he took his equipped PR to {{convert|821.2|lb|kg|abbr=on|1|}} and then to {{convert|825|lb|kg|abbr=on|1|}} during Bench America I competition. However in 2004 Mendelson got disqualified thrice in a row at WPO World Record Bench Bash, Senior Nationals and Iowa State & WPO Qualifier.

In 2005 Atlantis New England Bench Press competition, in front of [[Ed Coan]] as the head judge, Mendelson broke his own all-time raw bench press world record with {{convert|715|lb|kg|abbr=on|1|}}.<ref name="powerliftingwatch raw">[http://www.powerliftingwatch.com/records/raw/world All-time RAW Powerlifting world records compiled and updated by PowerliftingWatch.com]</ref><ref name="critical bench records">[http://www.criticalbench.com/benchrecords.htm Bench Press Records compiled by criticalbench.com]</ref><ref>Katterle, Sean (February 2009). "Power Surge: The Bench Press - History, Records and Raw Lifts". Ironman Magazine, p. 241</ref> The record remained unbeaten for another 8 years until [[Eric Spoto]] benched {{convert|722|lb|kg|abbr=on|1|}} in 2013.<ref name="722 vid">{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xwzXjry6s6g |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211222/xwzXjry6s6g |archive-date=2021-12-22 |url-status=live|title=video: Eric Spoto 722 lb World Record Raw Bench Press - Official Video|work=SuperTraining.TV|date=19 May 2013 |publisher=YouTube.com}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

===Equipped world record===
At 2005 APF Nationals, Mendelson benched {{convert|881.8|lb|kg|abbr=on|1|}} in multi-ply,<ref name="openpl"/> becoming only the third man in history after Tim Isaac and [[Gene Rychlak]] to achieve this feat.

In 2006 Iron Man Bodybuilding contest's Fit Expo in [[Pasadena]], Mendelson broke Rychlak's {{convert|1005|lb|kg|abbr=on|1|}} all-time equipped bench press world record with {{convert|1008.6|lb|kg|abbr=on|1|}} with only his 1st lift.<ref name="atwreq">{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g3ryTYfVR70 |title=Scot Mendelson's 1008lb Record Bench Press 2/18/2006 at FIT EXPO in Pasadena, CA |website=YouTube |date=11 October 2009 |access-date=21 November 2024}}</ref> Eventhough the record didn't last long with the arrival of 'unlimited' equipment category with the rise of the likes of [[Ryan Kennelly]], Will Barotti, Tiny Meeker, Bill Gillespie and Jimmy Kolb, Mendelson improved his multi-ply PR to {{convert|1025.1|lb|kg|abbr=on|1|}} by 2008 WPC World Championships in [[West Palm Beach]].<ref name="en.allpowerlifting.com">[http://en.allpowerlifting.com/lifters/USA/mendelson-scot-5521/?unit=kg Scot Mendelson Powerlifting statistics (incomplete) posted at en.allpowerlifting.com]</ref>

Mendelson's lifetime PR came in 2009 APF Holiday Festival of Strength in [[Camarillo, California|Camarillo]], where he benched {{convert|1030.6|lb|kg|abbr=on|1|}} in multi-ply<ref name="powerliftingwatch">[http://www.powerliftingwatch.com/records All-time Powerlifting world records compiled and updated by PowerliftingWatch.com]</ref><ref name="culture">[http://ireadculture.com/2010/02/news/scott-mendelson/ "Champion weightlifter presses the issue of cannabis and sports" by CULTURE] {{webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20130126092204/http://ireadculture.com/2010/02/news/scott-mendelson/ |date=2013-01-26 }}</ref> which stood as the all-time multi-ply world record in the 275-pound weight class until Jimmy Kolb in 2020 as well as the all-time multi-ply world record in Masters (40+) category irrespective of weight class until Tiny Meeker in 2013.<ref name="openpl2">{{cite web |title=Bench > Rankings > Multi-ply |url=https://www.openpowerlifting.org/rankings/multi/by-bench |website=Openpowerlifting.org |author=Anonymous | date=20 November 2024 | access-date=21 November 2024}}</ref>

===Injuries and accidents===
In 2004, Mendelson was involved in a devastating car accident, that sent him to intensive care for three weeks with a fractured skull, broken ribs, broken leg and a right foot held on only by the skin. After a dozen surgeries, his right ankle was finally removed and he was left with one leg about 2 ½ inches shorter than the other. He was also left with an addiction to [[Vicodin]].<ref name="culture"/> The ankle injury was also the main reason why he was unable to compete in the other powerlifting disciplines the squat and the deadlift.

In 2013 Mendelson notoriously tore his pec while attempting a raw bench press of {{convert|716.5|lb|kg|abbr=on|1|}}.<ref name="pectear">{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JK-mbqdfuPw |title=The Worst Pec Tear In Powerlifting History |website=YouTube |date=25 January 2021 |access-date=26 January 2021}}</ref>

After another car accident in 2015 that made Mendelson unable to continue as a top level powerlifter, he started armwrestling in 2016 and has placed high in national level championship and attended the zloty tour 2018.<ref>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NXFrftmieug http://www.zlotytur.com/tour.php?id=25&photo=yes</ref>

===Legacy===
Mendelson is a three-times National<ref name="Menches"/> and five-times World<ref name="culture"/> Bench press champion and his career 64 world records in powerlifting<ref name="culture"/><ref name="interview video"/> is only seconded to [[Ed Coan]].<ref name="pantheon"/> He is the only bench presser in the world to hold both the raw and equipped (multi-ply) world records,{{refn|group=nb|[[Ted Arcidi]] held raw and equipped (single-ply) world records.}} and is widely regarded as one of the greatest bench pressers of all-time.

==Personal records==
''done in official Powerlifting meets''<ref name="Soong">[http://www.powerliftingwatch.com/files/Records-08-26-12.pdf ALL TIME HISTORICAL MEN AND WOMEN’S POWERLIFTING WORLD RECORDS] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130603124709/http://www.powerliftingwatch.com/files/Records-08-26-12.pdf |date=2013-06-03 }}</ref>
* [[Powerlifting#Raw powerlifting|Raw]] [[Bench press]] – {{convert|715|lb|kg|abbr=on|1|}} @SHW class (2005) ''(Former All-time World Record)'' 
:→ Raw Bench press – {{convert|701|lb|kg|abbr=on|1|}} @308 lb class (2002) ''(Former World Record)''
* [[bench shirt|Equipped]] [[Bench press]] (multi-ply) – {{convert|1030.6|lb|kg|abbr=on|1|}} @275 lb class (2009)
:→ Equipped Bench press (multi-ply) – {{convert|1008.6|lb|kg|abbr=on|1|}} @SHW class (2006) ''(Former All-time World Record)''

''done during training according to Scot himself''
* Equipped Bench press (unlimited) – {{convert|1201|lb|kg|abbr=on|1|}}<ref name="interview video">[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pr5zCoJinTU&list=LPTjftkWNQiZg&index=1&feature=plcp Video: Scot Mendelson - World's Strongest Bench Press Powerlifter]</ref>
* Raw Bench Press – {{convert|650|lb|kg|abbr=on|1|}} for 8 repetitions<ref name="interview video"/>
* [[Squat (exercise)|Squat]] – {{convert|900|lb|kg|abbr=on|1|}}<ref name="muscle-munch"/> ''(not to parallel depth)''
* [[Deadlift]] – {{convert|880|lb|kg|abbr=on|1|}}<ref name="muscle-munch"/>

==Personal life==
Mendelson is divorced (2008) to his ex-wife, Maricelle, herself a world champion Powerlifter, Kung Fu practitioner and a martial arts champion.<ref name="Menches"/><ref name="Maricelle">[http://www.asianjournal.com/galing-pinoy/59-galing-pinoy/15018-maricelle-garcia-mendelson-worlds-strongest-pinay.html "Maricelle Garcia Mendelson: World's strongest Pinay" at asianjournal.com] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121029130525/http://asianjournal.com/galing-pinoy/59-galing-pinoy/15018-maricelle-garcia-mendelson-worlds-strongest-pinay.html |date=2012-10-29 }}</ref> They have three children, two girls and a boy.<ref name="Menches"/>

Mendelson runs his own 6,000-sq. ft. private personal training gym in [[Sherman Oaks]] called "Fitness Individualized Training" (F.I.T.), which teaches strength training and combat sports. Being a supporter for the legalization of [[Medical cannabis|cannabis for medical purposes]] since his first car accident, he opened up his own medical [[Cannabis shop|marijuana dispensary]] "Mendica", together with his friend [[Eric Roberts]] in 2009, which goes under the tagline 'one-stop shop for rehab, rebuilding, relaxation and natural pain medication'.<ref name="culture"/>

==See also==
* [[Progression of the bench press world record]]
* [[Ryan Kennelly]]
* [[Gene Rychlak]]
* [[Eric Spoto]]
* [[Big James Henderson|James Henderson]]
* [[Jim Williams (powerlifter)|Jim Williams]]
* [[Ted Arcidi]]
* [[List of powerlifters]]

==Notes==
{{reflist|group=nb}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Mendelson, Scot}}
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Jewish American sportspeople]]
[[Category:American powerlifters]]
[[Category:1969 births]]
[[Category:21st-century American Jews]]