BOURGAULT’S “BENCH” MARK
CF resident breaks world bench press mark by 72 pounds
CENTRAL FALLS – Every so often, friends and/or Teknor Apex co-workers around his age will ask Jim Bourgault why he continues to chase power-lifting glory, why he doesn’t just hang up his knee braces and settle into a recliner like they do.
Bourgault, who turned 55 on Jan. 13, flashes a wide grin when responding.
“I compete because I feel like I can get better, lift more, every single day,” the massively-built Bourgault stated while relaxing at his dining room table inside his Hunt Street home on Friday afternoon. “In a sport like this, improvement is measurable.
“If I improve in a bench press by, say, a pound and half, then I’ve succeeded. That’s a victory, and I feel great.
“It actually drives you to continue,” he added. “I’m not ready for a rocking chair yet, far from it.”
On Saturday, June 10, he provided those naysayers another stellar answer at the U.S. Powerlifting Federation National Championships in Minneapolis. Not only did he claim the Men’s Masters Division (55-60) title in the bench press with a formidable lift of 551 pounds, but also the Men’s Open crown with the same amount of poundage.
That means, he outdueled every competitor who traveled to Minnesota – regardless of age. And, with it, he broke the Masters’ 55-60 category’s world and national records by – get this – 72 pounds. The previous mark was set by Alan Artz of California back in 2001.
In the process, he brought home his fifth world record and sixth national championship. Bourgault earned his first U.S. title back in 2010, when he delivered to himself and closeknit family the top spot in the Full Power category, which consists of the aggregate pounds raised in the squad, bench press and dead lift.
“My reaction? I thought I could’ve done better,” noted the always-smiling, upbeat Bourgault of his achievements at the most recent nationals, just one of several events staged at the Minnesota State Fitness Expo, held at the Minneapolis Convention Center. “My bench press PR is 600 pounds; I did that at the New England Summer Slam in Johnston on July 26, 2015, and I know that’s still inside me.
“I will say breaking the world record was satisfying, but the thing that meant more to me was breaking the state Open record, which George Lazzareschi held since 2006,” he continued. “He’s a power-lifting legend here in Rhode Island. It means more to me because I grew up watching him bench-press, and he was – and put this in capitals – THE MAN.
“He was incredible; time after time, he’d just do amazing lifts. He was so strong, he was my hero, but he was also very approachable. He didn’t have a mean bone in his body. Anything you asked of him, he’d be there, he’d give. He’d greet you with a smile and give you the advice you asked for, in fact more than enough.
“He’s someone I try to emulate, even to this day.”
There are two other factors that push him to “train and reign,” and the first is more than obvious. On his upper chest is a large tattoo that reads, “Powered by God, Strength through Faith.
“My son gave me a gift certificate to his friend’s tattoo parlor for my 50th birthday (in 2012),” he said, still notably touched by the gesture. “I wanted this because it’s something I believe in with every fiber of my being. I believe in God and my family, and the high school kids I coach. It shows them and teaches them that you don’t need drugs to be at your best. Actually, it’s the opposite. They’ll just ruin you.”
Therein lies the second: Helping willing local teens who want to learn proper techniques and mind-sets to excel at various sports, like football or wrestling, or just being the best human they can. At this point, he’s busy mentoring approximately seven young men inside his garage, one he nicknamed “The Powerasylum” years ago.
“I tell the kids all the time, ‘God gives you everything you need to succeed,’ that to accomplish what you want in life, all you need to do is use your brain and your heart. Those are the two strongest and helpful tools you’ve got.’”
Bourgault insisted he’s not a born-again Christian or a religious zealot, as he celebrated his feats in Minneapolis with a glass of red wine. “It keeps my cholesterol down,” he laughed. He also stated he and devoted wife, Jean, went out for a celebratory dinner at the city’s famed Hell’s Kitchen, owned by the Food Network’s renowned chef Gordon Ramsey. They were joined by Spencer Creamer, a Cumberland High senior-to-be, long jumper and member of Bourgault’s lifting team; and his parents, Ray and Carol. Spencer also happened to win a national title himself last Saturday.
“I started helping a kid from Central Falls, Derek Puerta, who was a soccer player back in the late ‘90s,” Bourgault recalled. “He was going to Boston University, and his coach told him he wanted him to put on weight. His father Francisco, who I worked with at Teknor Apex, said, ‘Hey, Coach, will you help my son?’ and I said, ‘Are you kidding? Send him over!’
“I’ve probably coached 60-80 kids, but they’re not my students or clients; I just call them my friends,” he said. “They help me much more than I could ever help them. I wouldn’t have broken records or won without their guidance.
“Plus they keep me young, and that’s not easy,” he continued. “People ask me when I’m going to retire, but my answer is the guys. They tell me age is just a number, and they keep motivating me. They’ll tell me when I’m doing something wrong technically. I can’t see myself lift, especially in the bench press, so they’ll be, like, ‘Jim, you’re flaring your elbows’ or ‘You’re not arching your back.’ “I owe it all to them.” Over the past 18-19 years, he’s mentored people from age 12 to 36, all of them with assorted reasons why they wanted to strengthen themselves.
“When God tells me it’s time to quit, I’ll be, like, ‘I’m done,’” he confessed. “He will let me know. I have to say I’m not really religious; that depends on your definition. I believe it’s not about religion, but about God. I go my God’s rules, as written in the Ten Commandments, but also the ‘Golden Rule.’
“I believe in you have to treat others the way you expect to be treated. You have to give and keep giving, it’s that simple.”
He abides by that belief outside of powerlifting – and then some. His family is so tight, his adult son, James Jr., and daughters Amanda and Brianna, still reside at the old homestead, as do his grandchildren, Antonio and Amiaya.
Then again, he’s got plenty of room in his home, and heart, for three dogs, including Siberiian huskies Angel and Cortona and American Eskimo Sasha.
“He’s so thoughtful and giving,” offered pal Spence, now at the table with him. “He told me he started lifting weights at 16 to get stronger for construction work. He’s my friend, my coach and my peer. I wouldn’t have gotten this far without him.”
Naturally, the two immediately shared a fist bump, then grinned widely at each other. The 55-year-old man and 17-year-old kid have more glory to chase – together.