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Power player

Florida Postmaster holds record for bench press

Mary Esther, FL, Postmaster William “Butch” Lyle works out last year.

One title that William “Butch” Lyle goes by is that of Postmaster in Mary Esther, FL.

Another title he has is perhaps a bit more impressive: powerlifter world record holder.

Lyle recently participated in the master’s division of the U.S. Powerlifting Association’s National Championship in Columbus, OH.

At the competition, he was given three attempts to squat, deadlift and bench-press. Lyle’s 341-pound bench press broke the world record by 30 pounds.

“I had lifted that weight several times before in the gym,” he said. “Being at the meet with the excitement and adrenaline, it fuels you, but it makes you nervous as well.”

He also broke four Florida records, in addition to two state records he already held, during the meet.

Lyle, who is 53, has been lifting weights since he was 15 but didn’t start competitively until 2014. He trains five days a week.

Lifting is a family activity for Lyle. His wife, who also holds a national record for bench press, and son lift competitively.

Lyle joined the Postal Service in 1986 as a letter carrier in Nashville, TN, and worked his way up to Postmaster, first in Old Hickory, TN, before moving to Florida in 2015.

He says his powerlifting comes up in conversation with customers sometimes, but it is his colleagues who take advantage of his strength.

“I get called up to the front a lot to lift heavy boxes,” said Lyle. “Anything heavy that comes in, they come looking for me.”

His next lifting competition is this fall in Orange Beach, AL.

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