At just 15 years old, Colter Rammell has already made his mark on the world stage — and in a sport where raw strength meets technical mastery, the Idaho teen has already bench-pressed his way into the record books.
Representing the USA Powerlifting Team at the WPC World Powerlifting Championship in Durban, South Africa, Rammell became a world record holder in the equipped single-ply bench press at 90 kilograms (198 pounds).
He also broke his own national record in the raw bench press by pressing 100 kilograms (220 pounds) — up from his previous best of 95kg (209 pounds).
“These are the strongest people in their countries and the world. These are the strongest of the strongest,” Colter said. “It was a bit intimidating.”
A sophomore at Teton High School in Driggs, Idaho, Rammell was invited to compete for Team USA in October — the youngest of 14 athletes selected. For him, the experience was both surreal and inspiring.
“I enjoyed it. There was a lot of people there,” Colter told KSL. “There was South Africa, Britain, Russia, Australia, Germany. … A lot of different people.”
For his father, Greg Rammell, who has coached him from the start, the moment carried extra meaning.
“We were looking at the record book, and there was a kid years ago from England, and he was a stud,” Greg told the outlet. “He set like every weightlifting record there was. But we were looking and noticed that there was one weight he didn’t get for whatever reason. We saw that it was achievable.”
So the two began training for it. But there was a twist: Colter would have to lift equipped — something he had barely practised before the trip.
While Colter typically competes raw — meaning no supportive gear, relying purely on strength and technique — the equipped category uses a compression-style bench shirt. The ultra-tight material helps lifters stabilize and rebound the bar, allowing for heavier attempts.
“Raw is what category he usually does,” Greg explained. “But equipped, it’s like you basically wear a compression shirt. We got the shirt and practised four or five times, and he went down there, and Colter set a world record in that. That was pretty neat.”
In just his second attempt at the world championships, Colter locked out 90kg, smashing the single-ply world record for his age category. Then, in the raw bench event — no compression shirt, no assistance — he hit 100kg, surpassing his own national record and pressing roughly 150% of his 66.4kg bodyweight.
Colter’s story isn’t one of early access to elite coaching or specialized training facilities. It began with simple at-home workouts.
“I didn’t really enjoy playing football, but I had to do something,” he said. “So I began really using calisthenics to get stronger; just push ups and squats. I got to the point where I was so strong, I was being told to start doing powerlifting.”
He and his dad began spending time together in the gym several days a week — bonding through the barbell and gradually building the technique that would take him global. “He’d be at the gym, and a lot of people would say, ‘You’re really strong for how old you are. You really should try to compete and see if you can get some records,’” Greg said.
That encouragement quickly turned into international achievement.
Powerlifting’s Young Prodigy
Powerlifting is built around three core lifts — the squat, bench press, and deadlift — with each athlete attempting to maximize their total weight lifted across the trio. The bench press, in particular, is a test of upper-body precision and control that even seasoned pros struggle to master.
Despite having trained equipped only a handful of times, Colter was calm under pressure. Competing against older, more experienced athletes from around the world, he executed perfectly.
“It was a bit intimidating,” he admitted, reflecting on sharing the stage with seasoned lifters from Russia, Germany, Australia, and Britain. “These are the strongest people in their countries and the world,” he said.
He may be years away from challenging the sport’s all-time greats — like Julius Maddox, who holds the raw bench press record at 355kg, or Jimmy Kolb, who benched a staggering 635kg equipped — but the signs are promising.
But, at just 15, Colter has already competed in multiple bodybuilding contests, earned international experience, and set two major records that many lifters spend decades chasing.
For Greg, seeing his son compete at this level — and win — has been a moment of immense pride.
“It’s pretty cool to watch him and … to see him progress and hit these big milestones and achievements,” he said.
If his early career is anything to go by, intimidation won’t be a problem for long.
Featured image credit: Instagram/@colter_rammell (screenshot)
