View source for Big James Henderson

{{Short description|American powerlifter}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2024}}
{{Infobox person
| name        = James Henderson
| other_names = Big James Henderson, James "Hollywood" Henderson
| imagesize   =
| birth_date  = {{Birth date and age|1965|04|09}}
| birth_place = [[Roxbury, Massachusetts]], [[United States]]
| occupation  = [[Powerlifter]], [[Preacher]], [[Motivational speaker]]
| spouse      = Shelia Henderson
| website     = http://www.bigjameshenderson.com/
| height      = {{height|ft=6|in=5}}
}}
{{CompetitionRecordTableTop|}}
{{CompetitionRecordSport | [[Powerlifting#Bench press|Powerlifting - Bench Press]]}}
{{CompetitionRecordCountry | {{USA}} }}
{{CompetitionRecordCompetition| [[International Powerlifting Federation|IPF Bench Press World Championships]]}}<ref name="en.allpowerlifting.com">{{Cite web|url=http://en.allpowerlifting.com/lifters/USA/Henderson-James-965/|title=James Henderson Powerlifting statistics (incomplete)|accessdate=2012-10-01|publisher=en.allpowerlifting.com}}</ref>
{{CompetitionRecordFirst  |  1994 |+125kg }}
{{CompetitionRecordFirst  |  1995 |+125kg }}
{{CompetitionRecordFirst  |  1996 |+125kg }}
{{CompetitionRecordFirst  |  1997 |+125kg }}
{{CompetitionRecordFirst  |  1998 |+125kg }}
{{CompetitionRecordCompetition|[[Powerlifting|USPF National Powerlifting Championships]]}}<ref name="en.allpowerlifting.com"/>
{{CompetitionRecordThird  |  1996 |+125kg }}
{{CompetitionRecordBottom}}

'''James Gregory Henderson''', also known as '''Big James Henderson''' and '''James "Hollywood" Henderson''', (born April 9, 1965) is a former American [[powerlifter]] who specialized in the [[bench press]]. He competed in the [[International Powerlifting Federation]] (IPF) and was five times Super Heavyweight World Bench Press Champion. He was the first man to bench press over {{convert|700|lb|kg|1|}} raw.<ref name="srlandmark">{{cite web|url=https://strengthrecord.com/landmark-feats-and-other-records/ |title=STRENGTH RECORD, Landmark Feats and others Records |website=www.strengthrecord.com |access-date=16 April 2025}}</ref> James set several world records throughout his career, including the all-time [[Progression of the bench press world record|world record]] in the raw ([[bench shirt|unassisted]]) bench press with {{cvt|711|lb|kg}}.

== Powerlifting career ==
Henderson won five consecutive bench press world titles from the [[International Powerlifting Federation]] in the 1990s:
*'''1994''' [[Järvenpää]], {{flag|Finland}}<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.powerlifting-ipf.com/fileadmin/data/results/worlds/wormenbench1994.htm |title=1994 IPF Mens Bench Press Championships Järvenpää, Finland. 4th and 5th December 1994 |accessdate=2008-12-23 |publisher=[[International Powerlifting Federation]] |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090625141140/http://www.powerlifting-ipf.com/fileadmin/data/results/worlds/wormenbench1994.htm |archivedate=2009-06-25}}</ref><ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8At_tYGg5nU Video: James Henderson bnech pressing 282.5kg at the IPF World Championships, 1994 Järvenpää]</ref>
*'''1995''' [[Frýdek-Místek]], {{flag|Czech Republic}}<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.powerlifting-ipf.com/fileadmin/data/results/worlds/wormenbench1995.htm |title=1995 IPF Mens Bench Press Championships Frydek-Mistek, Czech Republic |publisher=[[International Powerlifting Federation]] |accessdate=2008-12-23 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090625141440/http://www.powerlifting-ipf.com/fileadmin/data/results/worlds/wormenbench1995.htm |archivedate=2009-06-25}}</ref>
*'''1996''' [[Silkeborg]], {{flag|Denmark}}<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.powerlifting-ipf.com/fileadmin/data/results/worlds/bench96.htm |title=1996 I.P.F. Bench Press World Championships Silkeborg, Denmark November 29 - Dec 01 1996 |publisher=[[International Powerlifting Federation]] |accessdate=2008-12-23 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090625140952/http://www.powerlifting-ipf.com/fileadmin/data/results/worlds/bench96.htm |archivedate=2009-06-25}}</ref>
*'''1997''' [[Leduc, Alberta|Leduc]], {{flag|Canada}}<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.powerlifting-ipf.com/fileadmin/data/results/worlds/bench97.htm |title=1997 IPF Bench Worlds Leduc, Canada, December 5–7 |publisher=[[International Powerlifting Federation]] |accessdate=2008-12-23 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090427094335/http://www.powerlifting-ipf.com/fileadmin/data/results/worlds/bench97.htm |archivedate=2009-04-27}}</ref>
*'''1998''' [[Amberg]], {{flag|Germany}}<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.powerlifting-ipf.com/fileadmin/data/results/worlds/bench98results.htm |title=9th IPF World Bench Press Championship, December 11–13, Amberg German |publisher=[[International Powerlifting Federation]] |accessdate=2008-12-23 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090625141223/http://www.powerlifting-ipf.com/fileadmin/data/results/worlds/bench98results.htm |archivedate=2009-06-25}}</ref>

Henderson became the second man to bench press over 700 lb raw in May 1996 when he pressed 705&nbsp;lb in just a T-shirt and made it on the cover of [[Powerlifting USA]] magazine.<ref name="705 in a t-shirt">{{cite web|url=http://vintagemusclemags.com/magCover.php?0;19;10;pl;Powerlifting+USA|title=Powerlifting USA, volume 19 number 10 (cover with James Henderson pressing 705 in a t-shirt)|work=Powerlifting USA magazine|publisher=vintagemusclemags.com}}</ref>

===Personal records===
'''Powerlifting competition record:'''

''done in official powerlifting meets''
* '''[[Bench press]] - 711.0&nbsp;lb (322.5&nbsp;kg)''' @ 390&nbsp;lb (SHW) ''raw without wrist wraps and belt'' (July 13, 1997 USPF/IPF)<ref name="Soong">{{Cite web |url=http://www.powerliftingwatch.com/files/Records-08-26-12.pdf |title=ALL TIME HISTORICAL MEN AND WOMEN'S POWERLIFTING WORLD RECORDS |access-date=2013-06-25 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130603124709/http://www.powerliftingwatch.com/files/Records-08-26-12.pdf |archive-date=2013-06-03 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="hickoksports">{{cite web |url=http://www.hickoksports.com/history/powerlworldrec.shtml |title=World Powerlifting Records |publisher=Powerlifting Watch |accessdate=2012-10-01 |website=HickokSports.com |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130125075325/http://www.hickoksports.com/history/powerlworldrec.shtml |archive-date=2013-01-25 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
:→ former IPF world record in SHW class (+regardless of weight class) for over 7 years; surpassed by [[Brian Siders]]'s 712.1&nbsp;lb (323.0&nbsp;kg) (equipped in singleply bench shirt) in 2004

:→ former all-time raw world record in SHW class (+regardless of weight class); surpassed by [[Scot Mendelson]]'s 713&nbsp;lbs (323.4&nbsp;kg) (raw) in 2003<ref name="powerliftingwatch"/>

:→ current all-time drug-tested raw world record in SHW class (+regardless of weight class) since 1997<ref name="powerliftingwatch"/>

'''Gym record (unofficial):'''

''done in the gym according to James himself''
* Bench press - 744&nbsp;lb (337.5&nbsp;kg)<ref name="405x20+">{{cite web|url=http://connectionmagazine.org/archives_old/archives/1999/july_august/gettingstronger.htm |title=My story BY JAMES HENDERSON with Ken Rodriquez |last=Rodriquez |first=Ken |accessdate=2013-04-11 |work=James Henderson |publisher=connectionmagazine.org |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110929204913/http://www.connectionmagazine.org/archives_old/archives/1999/july_august/gettingstronger.htm |archivedate=2011-09-29 }}</ref> ''raw without wrist wraps and belt''

===Heaviest lift===
James Henderson is the current world record holder for heaviest drug tested raw bench press in history and held the highest raw bench press ever done in a full powerlifting 3-lift-meet ([[squat (exercise)|squat]]-bench press-[[deadlift]]) until Thomas Davis in 2021. His record setting lift was 711.0&nbsp;lbs. (322.5&nbsp;kg)<ref name="guinness">{{cite book|title=The Guinness Book of World Records 1999|editor=Guinness World Records Editors, Mark C. Young|publisher=Bantam Books|year=1999|isbn=0-553-58075-2|oclc=41382761}}</ref> and was performed on July 13, 1997, in [[Philadelphia]], [[Pennsylvania]] as the 3rd attempt at the USPF Senior Nationals (IPF/USPF sanctioned three-lift-event) under strict IPF-conditions.<ref name="Soong"/><ref name="powerliftingwatch">{{cite web |url=http://www.powerliftingwatch.com/records/raw/world|title=Men's Raw World Records|last=Vasquez|first=Johnny|accessdate=2012-10-12|publisher=PowerliftingWatch.com}}</ref> On the same day, he pressed {{cvt|683|lb|kg|1}} on the 1st, {{cvt|699.9|lb}} on the 2nd and even went for {{cvt|722|lb|kg|1}} on the 4th, but barely missed it. Henderson bench pressed unequipped in the strictest meaning of the word - without belt, without elbow bandages and even without wrist wraps - in just a T-shirt and a singlet.

==Personal life==
Henderson is a graduate of [[Mercer University]], where he obtained a bachelor's degree in [[theology]] and [[psychology]]. He also attended [[Albany State University]], where he played football from 1984 to 1986.<ref>http://www.mvpspeakers.com/Bio.asp?SpeakerName=Henderson%2C+James {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080922143046/http://www.mvpspeakers.com/Bio.asp?SpeakerName=Henderson%2C+James |date=2008-09-22 }} MVP Speakers Bio</ref> His career as an offensive lineman ended when he blew out his knee.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.connectionmagazine.org/archives_old/archives/1999/july_august/gettingstronger.htm |title=Getting Stronger My story BY JAMES HENDERSON with Ken Rodriquez |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020513065956/http://www.connectionmagazine.org/archives_old/archives/1999/july_august/gettingstronger.htm |archive-date=2002-05-13}}</ref>

In 1989 Henderson was convicted of drug trafficking and obstruction of justice, and was sentenced to 50 years in prison. He served 3 years at Rivers State Prison before being paroled and later pardoned in 1992. While at Rivers State he began reading the Bible and became a devoted born again [[Christians|Christian]].<ref>[http://www.fairness4families.org/Newsletters/Oct%20Dec%20newsletter.pdf Parolee Finds Success: Rev. James “Hollywood” Henderson, By John Mooney, Dooley State Prison] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080724161439/http://www.fairness4families.org/Newsletters/Oct%20Dec%20newsletter.pdf |date=July 24, 2008 }}</ref> Now Henderson gives motivational speeches to groups such as students, business leaders, and prisoners. He currently tours the Georgia Prison System as a speaker for Heartbound Ministries. During his appearances he tells his story of how he became the bench press champion and performs feats of strength.

==See also==
* [[Progression of the bench press world record]]
* [[Shear'Ree]]
* [[Eric Spoto]]
* [[Jim Williams (powerlifter)|Jim Williams]]
* [[Ted Arcidi]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Henderson, Big James}}
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:1965 births]]
[[Category:American powerlifters]]
[[Category:American motivational speakers]]
[[Category:Albany State Golden Rams football players]]
[[Category:Mercer University alumni]]