Nine-Year-Old Champion Wrestler Going For Bench Press World Record

SYKESVILLE, Md. - Weightlifting is normally a sport reserved for the big and brawny, but one area youngster is showing that even a lightweight can push some pretty "big" weight.

When you think of world record setters, you think of swimmer Michael Phelps and sprinter Usain Bolt. But you don’t think of a nine-year-old who has only been inside a gym three times in his entire life, but that’s what this story is all about ... dreaming big dreams and lifting heavy weights.

Down a quiet two-lane country road in Sykesville, Maryland lies "the barn" where some of the areas best youth wrestlers hit the mats.

In the mix, you’ll find seven-time national champion Aaron Brooks; he's only nine years old and already has over 300 wins.

His key to success is pretty simple: "A lot of practice and a lot of time put into it."

Aaron's success on the mats has led to a challenge. On June 12th in New Jersey, he will attempt to break the world record in the bench press. The current record for eight and nine-year-olds in the 88-pound weight class is 77 lbs.

Aaron can do multiple reps at that weight; his goal is to do one rep at between 90 and 100 pounds.

Aaron's dream of a world record lift may draw concerns about safety, especially for a developing nine-year-old, but lifting weights is not his focus.

"He doesn’t really lift weights. He does, but its light dumbbells and push ups,” said Aaron’s father, John Brooks. “Most of the strength, as with his teammates, comes from wrestling. It comes from the drilling and picking up your opponent; he’s just a wrestler who happens to be very strong."

The world record Aaron is attempting to set is through the 100 percent raw power lifting federation.

During the lift, no wrist, elbow wraps, taped fingers, or supportive clothing are allowed.