67-year-old Marine veteran benches 315 pounds after stroke recovery

W. Thomas Smith Jr., a 67-year-old retired Marine Infantry leader and stroke survivor, bench-pressed 315 pounds in Columbia, S.C., on Friday after a series of near-record warmup sets. The lift adds to a growing list of strength milestones that have drawn attention to his recovery and training comeback.

Why it matters: - Smith’s 315-pound bench press shows rare strength performance for a 67-year-old stroke survivor. - The lift adds to his profile as an older athlete who is still posting new personal records after major health setbacks. - Smith’s comeback has real-world relevance for recovery, aging and long-term strength training.

What happened: - W. Thomas Smith Jr. bench-pressed 315 pounds for a one-rep max at One Life Fitness in Columbia, South Carolina, on Friday, July 17, 2026. - Smith reached the max after sets of 225, 275, 295 and 305 pounds. - Smith is a 67-year-old former U.S. Marine Infantry leader and stroke survivor. - Smith also earned a spot on the Richland County Sheriff’s Department’s 250 Bench-Press Challenge list during Independence Week 2026. - Smith benched 250 pounds as part of the challenge tied to America’s 250th birthday. - Smith logged 225 pounds for 14 repetitions last week. - That earlier set placed Smith in the elite category for his age and weight, at 67 and about 198 to 200 pounds at 5-foot-11.

The details: - Smith suffered several major strokes in May 2024. - He returned to the gym within days of leaving the hospital after getting clearance from his physicians. - Smith said strength training saved his life in 2024 and continues to support his recovery in 2026. - Smith’s recent milestones also include a 410-pound static hold on bench and a 738-pound leg press set last month. - Static holds involve unracking the bar, holding it with arms extended for about eight to 10 seconds, then racking it again. - Smith said static holds helped his wrists, joints and tendons and prepared his body and mind for heavier lifts. - Brandon Mohtassem, general manager of One Life Fitness-Sandhills, spotted Smith during the 315-pound attempt. - Mohtassem said Smith is now a member of the three-plate club. - Smith’s 315-pound bench surpassed a 305-pound bench PR he set in his twenties. - Smith returned to strength training in 2018 at age 59 after years away from lifting. - Smith also serves as a special deputy with the Richland County Sheriff’s Department and is a retired South Carolina Military Department colonel. - Smith founded SCMD’s first counterterrorism task force and has worked as an internationally recognized counterterrorism instructor, combat correspondent and New York Times bestselling editor. - Smith said faith is part of his lifting routine and that he prays aloud between sets.

Between the lines: - Smith’s training story stands out because it combines age, recovery from stroke and continued performance gains. - Trainers and fellow athletes describe Smith as unusually consistent and unusually determined for an athlete in his late 60s. - Bruce Brutschy said Smith’s 315-pound workout was “nothing short of monstrous” and said many men his age become invisible after a stroke. - Sir’Saleem Stokes, a 19-year-old offensive lineman at Fayetteville State University, said training with Smith is motivating because Smith keeps asking for more reps. - Keith Vitali, in a May 11 article, said Smith’s perseverance has defined him in the gym. - Retired USMC Col. Steve Vitali said Smith is the kind of Marine leader who fights through hard challenges. - Kwabena “Kwa” Brenya said Smith’s strength comes from consistency and refusal to quit. - Smith’s story is being framed less as a single gym lift and more as a long-running comeback narrative.

What's next: - Smith is likely to keep pursuing new strength goals after adding another personal record to his resume. - His recent progress suggests additional benchmark lifts could follow if recovery and training continue on the same path. - The next milestone may come from bench work, leg press work or another static-hold progression.

The bottom line: - Smith’s 315-pound bench press is notable not just for the number, but because it came from a 67-year-old stroke survivor still pushing for new PRs.