Jim competed in his first bench press competition in Big Rapids Michigan in 1984.  In the 40 years since that meet, Jim has competed in several federations including NASA, USAPL, Powerlifting West…., as well as many non-sanctioned events.  Jim has also competed in several other strength events including strongman competitions and pulling a jet plane for charity.

In 2002, Jim participated in his fist WABDL meet.  Jim won the Open Men’s 308 Bench Press class in Salt Lake City Utah.  Later that year, Jim went on to win his first WABDL Word Championship in Reno Nevada. Jim won the Open Bench 308 Class with a Utah State record Bench Press of 601 pounds.

In 2003, Jim again won the The Rocky Mountain Regionals Bench Open 308 Class.  Jim then went on to win his second WABDL World Championship in Las Vegas Nevada..  Jim won both the Open and Sub-Masters Bench 308 Class with a Bench press of 650 pounds.  Jim also won the Outstanding Lifter award for this performance.

After 2003, Jim was forced to end his competitive Bench Press carrier due to an arthritic condition in both shoulders that wood soon require total joint replacement on both his right and left shoulder.   Jim’s medical team advised Jim his days of competitive lifting were over.

In the course of a long rehabilitation process from his two surgeries, Jim realized although his bench press days were over, the deadlift appeared to be a lift he could complete with no irritation to his rebuilt shoulders.  Thus, Jim began the slow process of changing from a competitive bench presser to a competitive deadlifter.

In 2022, after an near 19 year pause, Jim was back on the platform competing in the deadlift at the WABDL Nationals in Phoenix Arizona.  Jim won his masters class and then went on to do the same at the 2022 World Championships in Reno Nevada.

Each year there after Jim has done the the same including winning a best lifter award at the 2023 Nationals and Best lifter award at the 2024 World Championships. Jim also set both a National and World Record at the 2024 World Championship in the Master 61-68 Raw Deadlift 308 Class.

Most recently in 2025, Jim won his Master Class at the WABDL Nationals in Phoenix Arizona.  Jim hopes to continue competing as long as his health permits.

Other  accolades include:

Jim has won 3 Bench Press World Championships in the WABDL (two Open 308, one Submaster 308 ), and 5 Deadlift World Championships in the WABDL (Three Masters Class and two Disabled 2 division championships).

Jim’s Bench Press of 650.2 at the 2003 World Championships (in an old time bench shirt ).  At that time Jim was ranked number three all-time.  Also at that time, only six lifters in the WABDL who could bench 300#s.

Jim was ranked 4th All-Time in the WABDL Open Bench 308 Class from 2002 – 2007.