This 80-Year-Old Might Be The Strongest Senior In The World

Share this blog:

Sometimes I run across a story that’s so fascinating I just have to share it. The story of Hervé Kerwyn is one of those cases. That’s because he’s a three-time world champion in the bench press. He’s also a one-time European champion and a 22-time Belgian champion (his home country). What makes all of this astonishing? Hervé is 80 years old.

Who Is This Man?

In brief, Hervé’s career is extraordinary: out of the 43 competitions he participated in, he finished second once and third once, winning all the rest. Remarkably, he only started competing at the age of 69.

His journey began at 14. He was inspired by the courses of Robert Duranton. Duranton was a legendary French wrestler from the 1940s. He was also inspired by Charles Atlas, an iconic American bodybuilder from the 1920s. Hervé describes himself as old-school. He eats whatever his wife Lutgarde cooks and avoids modern fitness gear.

His success is attributed to sheer muscle power and rigorous training, up to five times a week. The gold medals and numerous records he has achieved bring him immense satisfaction.

Weightlifting As A Hobby

Weightlifting has always been a hobby for him, one he wouldn’t still be pursuing at eighty if he didn’t enjoy it. In the 1980s, a fitness center named Oasis opened in the industrial park near his work. Hervé trained there on Wednesdays and Fridays. Fridays often ended at the bar.

After retiring in 2004, Hervé continued to train and entered his first competition in 2013 at the age of 69. Watching a competition made him realize he was close to setting records. At that event, he lifted 209 pounds and became the Belgian Champion immediately. Since then, he has broken numerous records and lifted 267 pounds in 2016. This year, he aims for 243 pounds.

Setting A World Record

In early June in Amsterdam, Hervé lifted 226 pounds. This set a world record in his age and weight category. He beat 200 competitors from 13 countries at the WDFPF event. This achievement marked his third world championship.

The WDFPF was founded in 1988. It is an international platform to avoid performance-enhancing drugs. It had strict controls. Hervé chose this federation for two reasons: it is the only one with age categories above 70, and he believes he can achieve his goals without drugs.

Hervé advocates for training and sports, especially for young people, as it has given him tremendous benefits. Besides strength and enjoyment, he has gained self-confidence and remains healthy and active. His wife Lutgarde sometimes checks on him if he trains too long, but she and his doctor have no concerns as long as he remains injury-free.

Stefan K.

Stefan has been vegan since 2019 and has been regularly working on his strength since the beginning of 2023. He’s on a mission to help other vegans get stronger and have all of them achieve the quality of life they deserve.