South Carolina stroke survivor hits 1,003-pound leg press for new PR

W. Thomas Smith Jr., a 67-year-old South Carolina strength athlete and stroke survivor, leg-pressed 1,003 pounds for two reps in Columbia on Oct. 18. The lift tops his previous 973-pound mark and may stand as a state record for his age in raw leg press.

Why it matters: - W. Thomas Smith Jr.'s 1,003-pound leg press is a rare strength feat for a 67-year-old lifter. - The lift adds to a comeback story after Smith suffered several major strokes in May 2024. - The performance is being described as the highest recorded or reported raw leg press for his age in South Carolina.

What happened: - Smith leg-pressed 1,003 pounds for two full repetitions on Oct. 18 at One Life Fitness-Sandhills in Columbia, South Carolina. - Strength coach Aaron Glenn witnessed and verified the lift. - The new PR came less than one week after Smith leg-pressed 973 pounds and days after he surpassed Mongolian President Ukhnaagiin Khure's widely circulated bench-press feat.

The details: - The lift used a leg-press sled with no knee wraps or other supportive assists. - Smith's raw 1,003-pound leg press is described as the heaviest reported for his age in South Carolina. - Other athletes have leg-pressed more weight for official records, but those lifters were younger and used tightly wrapped legs. - Smith said doctors told him years of strength training likely helped save his life after the 2024 strokes. - Smith has lifted weights on and off for most of his life and has become a known figure in Columbia strength and fitness circles over the last two years. - Smith is a former U.S. Marine Infantry leader and retired South Carolina Military Department officer. - Smith said he no longer squats or deadlifts because of lower-back issues and worn knees, which leaves him focused on bench press work. - Smith benched 315 pounds in July for a lifetime PR. - Cambridge University's Strength-level Calculator ranked that bench press stronger than 99.9% of male lifters worldwide in his age and weight class. - Smith benched 315 pounds again in September. - Smith regularly benches 295 pounds for repetitions and 305 pounds for at least two reps. - Strength-level Calculator ranked Smith's 1,003-for-two leg press stronger than 99.993% of male lifters worldwide in his age and weight class.

Between the lines: - Smith's lift reflects a mix of long-term training, technical discipline and recovery after a major medical event. - The comparison with younger wrapped-lift records underscores how unusual the performance is for a 67-year-old raw lifter. - Marine culture and the wider South Carolina fitness community appear to have amplified the attention around the lift. - Retired Marine colonel and S.C. Black Belt Hall of Fame inductee Steve Vitali said Smith is the kind of athlete who pushes through extreme difficulty to reach difficult goals.

What's next: - Smith says persistence, prayer, hard work and technique drive his training. - Smith expects continued training, while acknowledging that heavy lifting always carries risk. - Smith said he treats lifting as a calculated risk and believes respect for the weight is essential.

The bottom line: - Smith's 1,003-pound leg press turns a recovery story into a strength milestone, with a possible age-group state record attached.