5.

The chief thing about Sri Chinmoy’s 240-pound one-arm lift is that, really, regardless of the manner in which it is performed, the final result means that a man of 160 pounds and 54 years old is holding a weight of 240 pounds. There can’t be too many men in the world of any weight at that age who could actually support that weight. The number of men throughout the world in the past 50 years who have lifted 200 pounds or more over their head with one hand is very, very few. Terry Todd, Bill Pearl and I spoke, and we all agreed. Whichever way you look at it, the final result is an absolutely tremendous feat — that any man can hold 240 pounds with one hand.

In the same way, 1300 pounds for the calf-raise is a colossal weight no matter how you raise the weight. Our British and American raises are just done differently, but that is not to disparage either. Sri Chinmoy’s calf-raise is obviously colossal.

Sri Chinmoy is really amazing. I asked myself, “Who is this man just beginning his career, stepping into the weightlifting field when most of us are long retired?” When he told me about his workouts on a daily basis, I had thought it would be arduous. But after speaking with him, I see that’s not the right word. It’s an endlessly exhausting schedule. Most people who do heavy weights would only approach these heavy weights four times in a few days. I ask myself why it is that Sri Chinmoy can have such a great recovery when he’s so new to the field and I’ve been working so long. I figure it must be the meditation, although I don’t know too much about that side of things.

In New York I have had an absolutely marvellous time. It is an experience I will never forget for the rest of my days.

Jim Smith Registrar of Records, British Amateur Weight Lifters’ Association and masters champion in the two-handed standing press