Powerlifter Mark Bell, American recordholder and top national competitor in the United Powerlifting Association, has openly admitted to using testosterone, an anabolic-androgenic steroid, since his appearance as a star of the steroid documentary “Bigger Stronger Faster*”. The Sacramento Bee interviewed Mark Bell aka Jackass aka Smelly in a positive profile piece for the newspaper (”Uplifting candor,” December 1).
Such is Bell’s lack of guile that he is one of the few powerlifters – or athletes in any sport, for that matter – who has acknowledged using performance-enhancing drugs. His frankness during interviews in his brother Chris’ documentary “Bigger Stronger Faster,” which drew critical raves, has raised Bell’s profile in the sport.
Actually, his profile was pretty high, anyway. Last month, he set an American record with an 826-pound bench press. He is a two-time winner of the California State Championships in the United Powerlifting Association and will go for a third title Dec. 6 in Concord.
Mark Bell discusses the surprising absence of negative feedback in response to his admission of steroid use in “Bigger Stronger Faster*.” Bell was able to fulfill a lifelong dream during the aftermath of the documentary when he opened the Super Training Gym in Sacramento. Read more
