A three-time bench press world champion in Sioux Falls is bringing a national competition to town over Labor Day weekend. 

Jona Leo with LeoStrength and Sanford Health are teaming up to host the USA Powerlifting Bench Press Nationals at the convention center Aug. 31-Sep. 1. This is the first time the event will be hosted in Sioux Falls. Entries from 20 different states have already flooded in. Leo says the exciting news is pumping up everyone in the powerlifting community. 

“No. 1, U.S.A. Powerlifting is the largest organization for drug-free powerlifting in the United States and it’s also the affiliate for the International Powerlifting Federation, which is largest international body for powerlifting. The winners of this meet here go on to the world championships in the Czech Republic in 2020,“ Leo said. 

Men and women will be able to participate at the Bench Press Nationals at the Sioux Falls Convention Center over Labor Day weekend.