Onetime Twin Cities world record holder in bench press sentenced for steroids

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Article by: PAUL WALSH , Star Tribune
October 1, 2012 - 2:25 PM

A onetime world-record Twin Cities weightlifter has been sentenced in federal court after being caught in a sting selling nearly 10,000 units of anabolic steroids.

A onetime world-record Twin Cities weightlifter has been sentenced in federal court after being caught in a sting selling nearly 10,000 units of anabolic steroids.

Andrew J. Fiedler, 38, of Apple Valley, was sentenced to five years' probation on Friday after admitting to conspiracy to distribute and possession of anabolic steroids. Fiedler's sentence also includes 500 hours of community service, drug testing, a ban on drinking alcohol, substance-abuse classes and mental-health treatment.

In 2004, Fiedler set the world record in the bench press for a 275-pound competitor, lifting 810 pounds during an International Powerlifting Association event in Elk River. That mark has since been broken.

In an interview with the Minnesota Score sports magazine soon after the accomplishment, published under the headline, "Mr. Big," Fiedler said: "I've always been very strong compared to everyone else. Becoming a power lifter was the natural thing for me to do."