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.

When you load a barbell, you create a series of levers. Your spine becomes one of those levers, and your low back often ends up in the middle of it. If the bar drifts too far away from your base of support, or your torso folds over too much, that lever arm gets longer and the stress on your lumbar spine goes way up.

That is why I am always talking about bar position, midfoot, and posture. You can have strong legs and a big engine, but if the angles are off, you will feel every heavy rep in your low back.