Iida Noriko, a 90-year-old Japanese powerlifter, set a new Japanese national record in the Masters 5 age division by pressing 50.5 kilograms (111.3 lbs) at the 2026 Japan Bench Press Championships, held January 16 to 18 in Takamatsu City, Kagawa Prefecture. The raw lift drew widespread attention from the global strength sports community and adds another milestone to one of the most remarkable athletic careers in powerlifting history.
Noriko isn't simply an inspiring older competitor. She's a three-time IPF World Bench Press Championship gold medalist who came to powerlifting after decades as an elite endurance runner, including competing in some of the most grueling foot races on earth.
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The Lift at the 2026 Japan Bench Press Championships
Noriko opened the competition with a 47.5 kg (104.7 lb) press, which she completed smoothly. She then added 2.5 kilograms for her second attempt, succeeding again. For her third and final attempt, she pushed to 50.5 kg (111.3 lbs). Her technique was precise, lowering the barbell under control to her chest before pressing it out at a steady pace. The lift was completed with what observers described as relative ease.
The 50.5 kg result set a new Japanese national record in the Masters 5 age class and places her just 5 kilograms (11 lbs) short of the IPF World Record in the Masters 4 division. She competed in the under 57 kilogram weight class.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Athlete | Iida Noriko (F) |
| Age | 90 years old |
| Competition | 2026 Japan Bench Press Championships |
| Location | Takamatsu City, Kagawa Prefecture, Japan |
| Date | January 16 to 18, 2026 |
| Weight class | Under 57 kg |
| Division | Masters 5 |
| Lift | Raw Bench Press, 50.5 kg (111.3 lbs) |
| Record | Japanese national record, Masters 5 |
From the Sahara Desert to the Powerlifting Platform
Noriko's path to powerlifting is as remarkable as her lifts. According to Fitness Volt, she spent years as a competitive endurance runner, pushing herself through some of the most demanding races in the world. She competed in the Marathon des Sables, a 250-kilometer (156-mile) ultramarathon held across the Sahara Desert in Morocco, widely regarded as one of the toughest foot races on earth.
A running injury eventually forced her away from the sport she loved. Rather than stepping back from competition, she looked for a new way to stay active and found the barbell. Her talent was apparent quickly, and her background in endurance and disciplined training translated directly into the consistency powerlifting demands.
She began competing seriously after the age of 70. Everything she has achieved in powerlifting has come in the two decades since.
Three IPF World Championship Gold Medals
The national record in Japan is the latest addition to a competitive resume that includes three gold medals from the IPF World Bench Press Championships, the most prestigious drug-tested powerlifting federation in the world.
Noriko won the raw Masters 4 division at IPF Worlds in 2023 in South Africa. In 2024 in Texas, she won both the raw and equipped Masters 4 divisions on the same day. She returned to IPF Worlds in Norway in 2025, placing second in both raw and equipped divisions at age 88.
| Year | Location | Equipment | Age | Best Bench | Place |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Norway | Classic (Raw) | 88 | 121.7 kg (268 lbs) | 2nd |
| 2025 | Norway | Equipped | 88 | 121.2 kg (267 lbs) | 2nd |
| 2024 | Texas, USA | Classic (Raw) | 88 | 110.5 kg (244 lbs) | 1st |
| 2024 | Texas, USA | Equipped | 88 | 109.4 kg (241 lbs) | 1st |
| 2023 | South Africa | Classic (Raw) | 87 | 110.2 kg (243 lbs) | 1st |
Source: OpenPowerlifting. IPF World Bench Press Championships, Masters 4 division.
The difference in weight class between her IPF appearances (where she competed at heavier bodyweights) and the 2026 Japan meet (where she weighed in under 57 kg) reflects different competitive contexts. Her IPF results and her national record are separate achievements under different federation classification systems.
What Is Masters Powerlifting?
Masters powerlifting organizes competitors into age-based divisions so that strength can be measured fairly at every stage of life. The IPF uses a Masters 4 designation for competitors aged 70 and above in international competition. The Japan Powerlifting Association uses a Masters 5 classification for its oldest domestic competitors. Records are tracked separately within each age and weight class, which is why Noriko's lifts count as official records in their respective divisions rather than being compared against lifters decades younger.
The Role of Consistent Training
Longevity in lifting takes major effort.
Research consistently shows that adults lose an average of 3 to 8 percent of muscle mass per decade after age 30, with that rate accelerating significantly after 60. Against that backdrop, Noriko's ability to not only maintain but compete at a world level into her late 80s and early 90s reflects what structured, long-term training can produce.
A structured program, proper recovery, and intelligent loading make long-term strength possible. Bench pressing in particular requires thoughtful progression to protect the shoulders and maintain joint integrity over time.
Why This Story Matters
Powerlifting often focuses on world records in the heaviest open divisions or massive totals at elite meets. Those performances deserve attention.
But the spirit of the sport is broader than that. A competitor who spent her 70s running ultramarathons across the Sahara, transitioned to powerlifting after injury, won three IPF World Championship gold medals, and is still setting national records at 90 represents everything the sport quietly stands for.
Iida Noriko is a three-time IPF World Champion, a former ultramarathon competitor, and now a 90-year-old national record holder. Her 50.5 kg bench press at the 2026 Japan Bench Press Championships is the latest proof that strength has no expiration date and that commitment, built over decades, compounds into something extraordinary.
Congratulations to Iida Noriko on another record and on a career that continues to inspire the global strength sports community.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Iida Noriko?
Iida Noriko is a 90-year-old Japanese powerlifter and three-time IPF World Bench Press Championship gold medalist. Before powerlifting, she was a competitive endurance runner who completed the Marathon des Sables, a 250-kilometer ultramarathon across the Sahara Desert. A running injury led her to the barbell, and she began competing seriously after age 70. She now holds national records in Japan and multiple IPF World Championship medals.
What record did Iida Noriko set at the 2026 Japan Bench Press Championships?
Noriko set a Japanese national record in the Masters 5 age division by pressing 50.5 kilograms (111.3 lbs) raw at the 2026 Japan Bench Press Championships, held January 16 to 18 in Takamatsu City, Kagawa Prefecture. She competed in the under 57 kilogram weight class. The lift places her just 5 kilograms short of the IPF World Record in the Masters 4 division.
How many IPF World Championship gold medals does Iida Noriko have?
Noriko has won three IPF World Bench Press Championship gold medals. She won the raw Masters 4 division in 2023 in South Africa, then won both the raw and equipped Masters 4 divisions in 2024 in Texas. She returned to IPF Worlds in Norway in 2025, placing second in both divisions at age 88.
What federation does Iida Noriko compete in?
Noriko competes in the IPF (International Powerlifting Federation) for international competition, which is the largest and most prestigious drug-tested powerlifting federation in the world. For domestic competition she competes under the Japan Powerlifting Association, where she set her most recent national record in the Masters 5 division.
What was Iida Noriko's athletic background before powerlifting?
Before powerlifting, Noriko was a competitive endurance runner. She completed the Marathon des Sables, a 250-kilometer foot race across the Sahara Desert in Morocco and one of the toughest endurance events in the world. A running injury ended her racing career, and she transitioned to powerlifting as a way to stay competitive and active.
Can you start powerlifting in your 70s or 80s?
Yes. Powerlifting organizes competitors into age divisions specifically to allow fair competition at every stage of life. Many lifters begin competing well into their 60s, 70s, and even 80s. Iida Noriko began competing seriously after age 70 and went on to win three IPF World Championship gold medals and set national records two decades later.
Is strength training safe for people over 80 or 90?
Resistance training, including powerlifting, can be safe and beneficial for older adults when approached with proper programming, qualified coaching, and appropriate load management. Research consistently shows that strength training helps preserve muscle mass, bone density, and functional independence in older populations. Anyone beginning a new training program at an advanced age should consult a healthcare provider first.
How much can a 90-year-old bench press?
Strength varies widely based on training history, body weight, and overall health. Iida Noriko pressed 50.5 kilograms (111.3 lbs) raw at age 90 in a national championship setting, setting a Japanese national record in her division. In IPF international competition at age 88, she pressed 121.7 kilograms (268 lbs) classic and 121.2 kilograms (267 lbs) equipped. For untrained older adults, average bench press performance is significantly lower, making her achievements exceptional outliers built on decades of consistent training.
What are the benefits of powerlifting for older adults?
Powerlifting and resistance training offer significant benefits for older adults, including preservation of muscle mass, improved bone density, better balance and coordination, and maintained functional independence. Competing in masters divisions also provides community, structured goals, and motivation to continue training consistently over the long term.
