We All Do What We Have to Do to Be the Best at What We Do.
Ryan "BenchMonster" Kennelly
Interviewed by Sean Katterle
Sean Katterle - This week, the Europa Super Show made an official announcement on the Powerlifting Watch website. They issued the following statement:
"The world's only ½ Ton Benchers, Gene Rychlak, Ryan Kennelly and
Scot Mendelson have committed to take the stage at the Superlifting Pro Bench Press. For years now powerlifters have wanted to see these three legends face each other on the same stage. Until now there have been a number of issues involving rules, federations and the usual issues inherent in the widespread sport of powerlifting that have prevented this historic meeting of the greats. These courageous men have committed to show all what they're made of in a unique format, and on the same platform."
There's also rumors about the contest being a max 2 rep competition and some people are speculating that the winner will be decided by formula. Have you officially commited to this competition?
Ryan Kennelly - No, I never "committed." I made it very clear to John Inzer that I could not come out of my pocket to get to that show. I'm not poor, but I'm also not rolling in it either,, get the picture? It sounds like the most money I could make would be three thousand dollars and that's if I win two bench contests on the same day. Minus the thousand dollars for Paul and my airfare
plus a few hundred more for a rental car and two nights in a hotel and I'm competing for anywhere from $700 dollars to maybe just over a thousand.
Ryan Kennelly (continued) - They said that Superlative Productions is guaranteeing the prize money and I've never heard of that company which is a bit unsettling. Also, Mendy, Gene and I had a chance to go head-to-head at the Ukraine All Stars. The trip was all expenses paid and the prize money was $15,000 which is five times what the Europa is paying out to the heavyweights. Gene no showed and I out benched Mendy so the question the Europa's posing of "what happens when these three pros meet for a historic bench meet" has already been answered; Rychlak no shows, Mendy gets 2nd place and I win with the biggest bench.
Ryan Kennelly (continued) - People in 2nd and 3rd place always want a rematch right up until the one contest where they get lucky and win and then they want that one dog day afternoon to be the official outcome so they can forget about all their past defeats.
Sean Katterle - So, to confirm, you never told anyone that you were lifting at that show for sure and someone is using your name without clearance for marketing purposes?
Ryan Kennelly - That's right. I never said that I was lifting there for sure and this whole two rep max rule is news to me too. A powerlifting contest bench is about who can bench the most weight for one good rep. Isn't it?
Sean Katterle - You just competed at The UPA Nationals and hit the all-time biggest shirted benchpress with 1,074 pounds! Don't you usually take some time off after breaking a record so you're fully recovered?
Ryan Kennelly - Oooooooh yeah. Two weeks of down time where I can just relax and let my body heal. So, continuing on the topic of The Europa show it would be tough for me to show up at 100% since I just got back from Bill Carpenter's UPA pro show.
Sean Katterle - A few weeks ago you were interviewed on Muscular Development's NO BULL Radio and you said that your entire closet was filled with House of Pain workout gear. Thanks on behalf of House of Pain for throwing out the props on the radio. What are your favorite HOP items to wear in the gym and on the street?
Ryan Kennelly - I have a stack of their tank tops and 2 stripe gym shorts. Very comfortable and stylish and I highly recommend picking up the phone, calling House of Pain and ordering yourself a few of each.
Sean Katterle - When you broke your previous all time bench record it created quite a stir on the internet. Over on
Muscular Development's forum there was a hugely popular thread that was read and commented on over 3,700 times!
One poster who writes under the name ChromeHearts said "That shirt provides a lot of mechanical leverage. Not to take anything away from him as that is a ton of weight, however, all lifts
are more impressive raw in general."
k_9110 said "Everyone talking about shirted this and shirted that. Put on a shirt and grow the balls with whatever equipment you want to get on a bench under 1000lbs. Then talk your s**t. Bottom line he is stronger than any of us on this board RAW or SHIRTED. Hell I am pretty sure that 80% of the talkers cant LEG PRESS 1000lbs correctly with knee wraps and whatever."
A guy named Manowar said "I have to agree with Derek...as long as they're wearing the space suit ...JUST DON'T CARE....if he is that good he would break Mendelson's record in the RAW....actually the real question....WHY DOES HE NOT TRY TO BREAK THE RAW RECORD AND HOLD BOTH?"
m87r posted "Ryan is a freak and the lift was a
solid one. Number one bencher of today. I just wish he would train for the raw record a couple of months so we could see a 730+ raw bench."
That's just a sampling of the seven pages of posts that made it past forum moderation (the conversation got heated and eventually cleaned up some.) What's your response to the positive and negative reactions by the weight lifting public?
Ryan Kennelly - ZZZZZZZZZ OHhhhh! Ah well, that's a bodybuilding forum so go figure. They don't like shirts. No big deal. I can do it either way and I will in the future. I won't break the raw record for the internet warriors but I'll break it for myself. I agree with their debate, but I also think that fake tanning paste, escilene injections, synthol and calf implants are just as bad. ( Wink wink ) we all do what we have to do to be the best at what we do.
Sean Katterle - When will you go after Mendelson's all time raw bench record?
Ryan Kennelly - When the price is right and when it gets the right spotlight. An event will come along that will be high profile and high paying and then I'll be there. The Arnold main stage would be great. The NFL Super Bowl halftime show would be better haha.
Sean Katterle - When will you go after Mendelson's all time raw bench record?
Ryan Kennelly - When the price is right and when it gets the right spotlight. An event will come along that will be high profile and high paying and then I'll be there. The Arnold main stage would be great. The NFL Super Bowl halftime show would be better haha.
Sean Katterle - There's rumors in your camp that you've been seen putting time in on the treadmill since your return from the UPA meet in Iowa. Paul Meeker currently holds the all time 308 class bench record with a 942. Any plans to diet back down and go after that?
Ryan Kennelly - Yes, I'm already very close and will soon be down to that area of 308 pounds. I just have to make sure my 1074 bench is safe and then I will make the conversion back down to 308.
Sean Katterle - Well, good luck with your training and I hope that you get that 308 class shirted bench record and then decide to harness your intensity towards going after that 715 pound raw bench all time record!
Ryan Kennelly - Thanks and I'll keep you posted.
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Topic: Interviu Ryan "BenchMonster" Kennelly za Hause of Pain ! (Read 3093 times)