Kõver Kang Elite Bench Press

Tartu powerlifting club Kõver Kang MTÜ is hosting the international invitational bench press competition "Kõver Kang Elite Bench Press 2026" in Tartu.

On the platform, the strongest bench pressers from Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania will meet to determine which country is the absolute Baltic top.

Expect a true display of strength — weights may reach 250 kg and beyond.

📅 Date & Venue

🚗 Also at the same time

The US car club CHROME & GLORY TARTU MTÜ is hosting a grand US car show in the sports hall car park. You'll see machines from different eras and categories — from classics to muscle cars.

Muscles and V8 — Pure America.

🔗 cgtartu.com

🏋️ Organiser

Klubi Kõver Kang

Jaak Ruusmaa

⏱️ Timeline

🏆 Competition Format

A bench press competition between three teams (Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania). Each team has 6 members, one participant per weight class. The best team and the strongest bench presser will be selected.

🌍 Team Bosses

⚖️ Weight Classes

📝 Registration

Team bosses must submit a 6-member team roster to the organiser no later than 31.05.2026. Required information:

• Name
• Date of birth
• Age
• Weight and weight class
• T-shirt size
• Name for the T-shirt

Information for commentators:

• Best competition result and where
• Titles won
• Number of years competing
• Hobbies
• Biceps circumference

📋 Regulations

Equipment

• Lifting belts up to 10cm wide made of leather, vinyl, or similar laminated non-stretch material are permitted
• Wrist wraps up to 1m long and 8cm wide are permitted; the wrist wrap loop must not be around the fingers during the lift
• An undergarment belt worn under the lifting belt is not permitted
• Bench press shirts (support shirts) are not permitted
• Footwear must be closed; open-toe and open-heel footwear such as sandals and flip-flops are not permitted
• Talcum powder, chalk, and magnesium are permitted on the body and clothing

Clothing

A competition leotard is permitted. The organiser-provided T-shirt is worn under the leotard.

Attempts

• Starting weights must be fixed no later than the weigh-in
• Starting weights can be changed up to 5 minutes before the competition
• Minimum weight increase is 2.5kg
• Rack height and safety bar height must be fixed before the competition
• The next attempt weight must be submitted within 1 minute after each attempt

Execution Requirements

• Buttocks and shoulders must remain on the bench throughout the lift
• The head may lift off the bench
• Feet must remain in contact with the ground and must not lose contact with the floor during the lift. Sliding is permitted, but loss of contact is not
• Feet do not need to be in full contact with the ground; lifting the heel off the floor is permitted.
• Maximum grip width: the ring mark on the bar must be covered by the index finger
• Sinking the bar into the chest is not permitted after the PRESS command

Commands

1. "Start" — the competitor lowers the bar to the chest
2. "Press" — given immediately when the bar is motionless on the chest. The competitor presses the bar to locked arms
3. "Rack" — the competitor returns the bar to the stands

🏅 Point System

• If competitors in a weight class lift the same and a tie arises, the lighter bodyweight wins. If the bodyweight is also the same, the winner is the one who first achieved the contested result.
• If a competitor is over the weight class limit, the team receives a maximum of 1 point for that weight class
• If a team has no competitor in a weight class, the team receives 0 points
• If a competitor fails to record any successful attempt out of three attempts, the team receives 0 points for that weight class and the competitor forfeits their weight class placement and does not receive a medal
• If teams are equal on points, the tiebreaker is the sum of each team's best results — the team that has pressed more kilograms in total wins. If the totals are also equal, the sum of the competitors' bodyweights in the team is compared, and the team with the lower total bodyweight wins.
• The team with the most total points across all weight classes wins

👥 Officials

Technical Controller

Paul-Eerik Rosenberg

Referees

• Head Referee: Rauno Heinla
• Referee: Marko Traks
• Referee: Catrin Kelly Reppo

Competition Secretaries

• Annabel Piho
• Eveli Ruusmaa
• Kalli Needra
• Triin Ojasoo

Spotters, Loaders, Technical

• Magnus Ruusmaa
• Sander Ruusmaa
• Sven Malinin
• Kaido Kook

🤝 Sponsors

Many thanks to everyone supporting our competition.

Skarcon OÜ

Expert audio, video, IT solutions that work for you. Classrooms, auditoriums, meeting rooms, stage equipment, information screens, LED walls, Rugged computing. Needs analysis, design, solution construction and integration into the space with training and user support.

skarcon.ee

MTÜ Eesti Maaülikooli Spordiklubi

The Sports Club of the Estonian University of Life Sciences is a modern and spacious sports center that offers good conditions for athletes, amateurs, as well as for organizing larger competitions and events. The sports building of the Estonian University of Life Sciences in Tartu creates a powerful atmosphere where a professional environment, emotion and a true competitive spirit meet, spiced up with a bit of an academic atmosphere.

sport.emu.ee

Mulgikontsert OÜ

Mulgikontsert OÜ deals with technical solutions for events. We provide complete solutions in the categories SOUND/LIGHT/VIDEO/STAGE and combine them into one whole according to the client's wishes.

mulgikontsert.ee

Pesupatrull — FinEst Transport OÜ

Our mission is to clean the environment and keep it clean. We wash everything that can be washed.

pesupatrull.ee

Santrust OÜ

Sewerage works, heating systems, piping works, sanitary engineering works, installation works and design.

santrust.ee

Nordic Spedition OÜ

We are dedicated to developing and providing sustainable daily logistics solutions. The main activity of our company is the carriage of goods between Europe, the Baltics and the Nordics at all temperatures (+18 °C, +2/+6 °C, -18 °C). As proof of the quality and reliability of our services, we have been awarded the internationally recognised certificates ISO 9001 and ISO 14001.

www.nordicsped.com

Väderstad OÜ

Our driving ambition is to develop machines that carry out several tasks at a high rate and in a single pass. The advantages of this are obvious. Fields are ready for planting at the right time with the best conditions for maximum yield, while saving time, energy and money for the farmer.

www.vaderstad.com/ee

RT Autoremont OÜ

We are your turnkey solution partner when it comes to vehicle maintenance and repair. We perform simple maintenance and more complex component restorations on both older and newer vehicles, including diagnostics.

Gym Factory

We are manufacturers of professional sports equipment and gym machines, successfully operating for over 10 years. Our product range includes more than 180 unique machines and pieces of gym equipment designed to meet the needs of professional athletes and fitness enthusiasts. Each of our products is crafted to ensure the highest quality, reliability, and durability.

gymfactory.eu

Sperkoda OÜ

Sperkoda OÜ is an Estonian company that installs window films. We specialize in providing the highest quality window films that provide privacy and protection from sunlight.

www.sperkoda.com

GKR Trade OÜ

GKRBrands online store is the official distributor of Vitamin Well, NOCCO, Barebells and several other high-quality beverage and food brands in Estonia and the Baltics.

gkrbrands.ee

Strength Shop

Strength Shop was built by lifters, for lifters — people who wanted gear that could keep up with their training and help them to get better. Since day one, we've lived and breathed the ethos of strength sports.

strengthshop.eu

Painted by Kiilakas

Vehicle bodywork, paintwork and glass replacement.

kiilakas.ee

Rosenberg Tattoo

Rosenberg Tattoo Studio is a professional tattoo studio based in Tartu, Estonia, known for its high level of realism and detailed work. The studio focuses on unique and high quality projects, creating a personal and visually powerful piece of art for each client.

www.instagram.com/rosenberg_tattoo_studio

Printdisain.ee

Clothing printing in Tartu — a fast and durable solution for your idea. T-shirts, sweatshirts, polos and workwear. Suitable for both individuals and companies. Delivery all over the world.

www.printdisain.ee

Treener Marilin

Coach Marilin is an experienced personal trainer and powerlifting athlete who has contributed to the development of power sports and taking athletes' results to the next level for years. Her training philosophy combines technical precision, consistency, and a strong competitive spirit, helping athletes achieve maximum performance both on stage and in the gym.

www.instagram.com/treenermarilin

S-Pro OÜ

S-Pro was established in the Baltics in 2012 when FS Capital Management Group (est. 1997) separated its professional solutions sales that date back to the year 2003. Emerging from expertise in Sony consumer and professional products alike and experienced in managing Sony Centers, distribution rights of Sony Professional products were granted to S-Pro in the Baltics in 2013, followed by Finland in 2014. In the following years, the S-Pro group concentrated on building a firm local presence in each of the countries (Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania) and adding supporting brands to the product range.

www.s-professional.eu

ProFassaad OÜ

We perform high-quality facade work, from insulation to finishing. We work precisely, cleanly, and in accordance with agreements.

Kuvaman OÜ

Kuvaman offers a comprehensive professional video and photo service. Whether it's advertising clips, company introduction videos, event coverage, or a content creation project — Kuvaman offers a visual solution from idea to final editing for both small and large producers.

www.kuvaman.com

3DMudel OÜ

We turn your ideas into reality with the power of the 3D world. We create 3D-printed objects according to the customer's needs, whether it's prototypes, products or custom work. In Tallinn | Tartu | All over Estonia.

3dmudel.ee

CNESSFIT

Offers workouts for all ages, from children to adults. The focus is on powerlifting, overall physique development and a versatile workout that supports strength, endurance, and flexibility.

www.instagram.com/cnessfit

LINDJANAR

LINDJANAR is a photographer and videographer whose main focus areas are cars, architecture and events. He creates visual content for social media, advertising and various projects.

www.instagram.com/lindjanar