Sioux Falls Man Going for World Championship Bench Press Title

UPDATE: 4/24/2016 - Jona Leo has done it. He's won the gold medal in Denmark by bench pressing 865 lbs. What a great honor for the United States. Way to go, Jona!

 

Next week, the World Bench Press Championships will kickoff in Rodby, Denmark. The best benchers on earth will go head to head to take home IPF Gold.

Jona Leo of Sioux Falls will be one of them.

As a young adult, Jona began his training for powerlifting in St. Paul, Nebraska, where he attended high school. His love for the sport was amplified at the age of 24 when he was asked to assist at a meet at the Sanford Wellness Center.

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From there, strength training and pushing his body to the extreme became a passion - with the goal to become the world's best.

Fast forward through several competitions, including national and world stages and Leo is a force to be reckoned with in the world of powerlifting and bench pressing.

For the 2013 World Championships, Jona Leo pulled in incredible 794 lbs to win the gold. This year, he believes it's going to take something above 880 lbs to take the gold medal.

I asked Jona what a gold next week in Denmark would mean to him.

It would put me in an exclusive club of multi time world champions (only 6 others in USA) only 18 gold medal world bench press champions overall. - Jona Leo, 2013 world champion

When Jona arrives in Denmark next week, he will take some time for mental preparedness, and perhaps a beer. Mind and body must work together for success on this stage, he said.

Jona is the owner of Leo Strength and Performance, LLC in Sioux Falls.

On a personal note, Jona is incredibly fierce and focused in the gym while strength training. But all of the intensity melts away at the sight of his family. His 3 children have him wrapped around their finger and there's nothing he wouldn't do for them.

Having known Jona through church and family outings, and a few rock concerts, he is truly a gentle, kind, loving father and husband who deserves another world championship.

Go get 'm, buddy.

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