Quick Facts
Biography
Bob Bednarski (April 5, 1944 – February 22, 2004) was an American heavyweight weightlifter. He set 12 world record in 1968–69 and won three medals at the world championships, including a gold in 1969.
Career
During his career Bednarski won five national championships and set 12 ratified world records. He was relatively small for heavyweight weightlifter and relied on his agility. In 1966 he placed second at the world championships, but during the 1967 Pan American Games suffered a career-threatening elbow injury. He recovered, and next year set two world records at the national championships. At the 1968 US Olympic Trials he placed third, and was not selected for the Olympic team. He won the world title next year, and placed third in 1970. In 1983, he was inducted into the United States Weightlifting Federation Hall of Fame.
Family
Bednarski was married to Kathy for 29 years. They had a son Bobby and a daughter Sheryl. Bednarski had three brothers, John, Gary, and Richard, and three sisters, Judie Valois, Carol Ferrelli, and Brenda Paris. He loved animals, and had three poodles.