Officer J. McClain wins 2024 International Powerlifting League North American Championship

The Wake Forest Police Department is pleased to announce that Officer J. McClain (photos attached) recently earned first place in the 2024 International Powerlifting League (IPL) North American Championships in North Charleston, SC.

To compete in the national competition, lifters must first achieve a “Class II” distinction - a minimum weight total of 1,267.7 pounds in three categories: bench press, barbell squat, and deadlift.

Officer McClain finished first in the bench press only men’s 125 kilograms competition and bench press only overall and won the “Best Lifter Award” for bench press. His winning bench press totaled 215 kilograms or 474 pounds.

Officer McClain competed against six other lifters in his weight class and 25 other athletes for bench press only events. His winning lift placed him into the top 100 lifts all-time in the International Powerlifting League Men’s 125-kilogram weight class.  

Officer McClain is an eight-time record holder for North Carolina in the United States Powerlifting Association.