Most people associate powerlifting with young to middle-aged men, but that doesn't mean adults in their golden years can't do it too. Just asked 74-year-old Paul Topham of Attleboro, Massachusetts.
Over the weekend, Topham set a new national record for his age and weight category after lifting an eye-popping amount of weight. According to WCVB, his bench press was 209.7 pounds, his squat was 363.8 pounds, and his deadlift was 385.8 pounds.
"You always got to strive to do better. You always got to strive to get stronger. And the only way you're going to do that is persistence," Topham said of his accomplishment. "Just because I'm 74 doesn't mean I have to think I'm old."
Topham is a lifelong weight lifter and a frequent fixture at the YMCA gym in Attleboro. With such a major accomplishment under his belt, Topham's passion has grown even bigger. He has his sights set on this year's World Drug-Free Powerlifting Federation's Full Power Championship, where he hopes to represent the United States when it comes to Hyannis in his home state this November.
"Can't keep the monkey out of the tree," Topham stated plainly of his dedication to his craft. "Or the gym rat out of the gym."
