Marine leader nears 250-pound bench press goal ahead of county challenge

W. Thomas Smith Jr., a 67-year-old Marine Infantry leader and Richland County special deputy, has pushed past 250 pounds on the bench ahead of the Richland County Sheriff’s Department’s 250 Bench-Press Challenge in South Carolina. Smith’s lifts come after major strokes in 2024 and add to a string of strength milestones that include an 280-pound personal best and multiple leg-press records.

Why it matters: - Smith’s numbers put a stroke survivor in an advanced-to-elite strength range for his age and body size. - The bench-press run-up feeds into the Richland County Sheriff’s Department’s 250 Bench-Press Challenge, which ties the event to America’s 250th birthday. - Smith’s recovery story shows how strength training can remain part of rehabilitation and long-term fitness after major health setbacks.

What happened: - W. Thomas Smith Jr. is preparing for the Richland County Sheriff’s Department’s five-day Bench Press Challenge, set for June 28-July 3, 2026. - Smith benched 250 pounds for eight repetitions on June 19, 2026. - Smith then completed two sets of 275 pounds for two repetitions each. - Smith is 67, weighs about 198-200 pounds and stands 5-foot-11. - Smith is a former U.S. Marine Infantry leader, counterterrorism instructor, New York Times bestselling editor and current RCSD special deputy. - Smith survived several major simultaneous strokes in May 2024.

The details: - Smith’s current personal best on the bench is 280 pounds, set the day before his 67th birthday earlier this year. - Smith also had a 305-pound personal record from his 20s before stepping away from strength training for many years. - Within days of leaving the hospital in 2024, Smith returned to the gym with approval from his medical team. - Smith said strength training “saved my life in 2024” and continues to support his recovery in 2026. - Smith’s recent training includes a 405-pound personal record on static, or isometric, bench holds. - Static holds involve unracking the bar and holding it above the chest for about eight to 10 seconds before racking it again. - Smith said static holds help his wrists, joints, tendons, confidence and nervous system readiness for heavy lifts. - Smith also credits incline presses, dumbbell or pec-dec flies, daily dead-hanging, shoulder and back work, heavy kettlebell carries and leg presses. - Smith said knee issues keep him from squats and deadlifts. - Smith has set and broken four unofficial but verified leg-press records at One Life Fitness Centers statewide in his age group. - Those records were 683 pounds for three reps on April 29, 703 pounds for two reps on May 7, 718 pounds for three reps on June 2 and 738 pounds for four reps on June 17. - Smith is aiming for the 315-pound “three-plate club” benchmark. - Smith said he may try to reach that goal by Nov. 10, 2026, the 251st birthday of the U.S. Marine Corps.

Between the lines: - Smith’s progress is drawing attention from other athletes and trainers who frame his comeback as unusual for a man his age after a stroke. - Keith Vitali, Steve Vitali, Bruce Brutschy and Kwabena Brenya all described Smith as unusually persistent and resilient in the gym. - Brenya said he has worked with Smith on technique and breathing during heavy lifts. - Smith also ties his training to faith, saying he prays out loud between sets and calls on Jesus during leg presses. - That mix of recovery, discipline, military identity and faith appears to be central to how Smith frames his training goals.

What’s next: - Smith will be eligible for the RCSD challenge when the event starts on June 28, 2026. - Smith says he plans to keep chasing 315 pounds, or close to it, in the near future. - Smith may link that goal to the Marine Corps’ 251st birthday in November 2026. - More benchmarks are likely as Smith continues to build on his bench press and leg-press totals.

The bottom line: - Smith is turning a serious medical recovery into a high-level strength campaign, with the 250-pound benchmark already in hand and a 315-pound goal next.