Big James Henderson


James Gregory Henderson, also known as Big James Henderson and James "Hollywood" Henderson, is a former American powerlifter who specialized in the bench press. He competed in the International Powerlifting Federation and was five times Super Heavyweight World Bench Press Champion. He was the first man to bench press over raw. James set several world records throughout his career, including the all-time world record in the raw bench press with.

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.

Personal records

Powerlifting competition record:
done in official powerlifting meetsBench press - 711.0 lb @ 390 lb raw without wrist wraps and belt
Gym record :
done in the gym according to James himself
  • Bench press - 744 lb ''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 held the highest raw bench press ever done in a full powerlifting 3-lift-meet until Thomas Davis in 2021. His record setting lift was 711.0 lbs. and was performed on July 13, 1997, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania as the 3rd attempt at the USPF Senior Nationals under strict IPF-conditions. On the same day, he pressed on the 1st, on the 2nd and even went for 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.

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. His career as an offensive lineman ended when he blew out his knee.
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. 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.