91-year-old Arizona man sets weightlifting record for bench press with 187.2-pound lift

PHOENIX – A 91-year-old Arizona weightlifter feels good about his sport and it's apparent he's good at it.

Sy Perlis of Surprise set the World Association of Benchers and Deadlifters record for bench press in the 90-and-over age division when he benched 187.2 pounds at the National Bench Push-Pull Press and Dead Lift Championships Saturday in Phoenix.

The Arizona Republic (http://bit.ly/1984ic8 ) reports that the association's previous record of 135 pounds had stood since 2005.

Perlis took up weightlifting when he was 60 but didn't enter his first championship competition until five years ago.

He says the sport gives him the opportunity to test himself. He says it both makes him feels good and is good for him.