Colorado

The August 24-25 National Benchpress Championship meet was well-attended. There seemed to be even more lifters competing this year than at last year's meet, which was also in Bedford Hts., OH, but in September. We wonder if more people can travel to competitions while school is out for the summer?

Four of us attended from Fort Collins: Tim Rickett, Laurie Evans, and Steve & Jeanne Harms. We came home with 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th place medals, which we were pleased to get, considering the stiff competition this year! Tim took 4th place in Lifetime Drug Free with a 180 kg lift, Laurie won 2nd place Open with 55 kg, Steve won 3rd place Master's II with 127.5 kg, and Jeanne took 1st place Master's II with 57.5 kg. Apologies to any other Coloradoans on hand that I didn't know!

There were several world records set, although perhaps the most celebrated were the unfortunately unofficial records (not) set by Dr. Larry Miller, a well-known lifter in the Master's 55-59, 165 lb. class. He would have set world records on both his second and third attempts, but neither counted as official because he was one of the three internationally qualified judges (required by the IPF to certify a World Record) on hand for the competition, and could not judge his own lift! His third lift at 529 pounds was a thing of beauty! On the second day, we also witnessed (for the first time in our short powerlifting careers) 3 blowouts of bench shirts, which we found alarming and quite spectacular, especially when the lifter was attempting 600+ lbs.!! Now we know why some people have more than one shirt at a meet. No one was hurt, the spotters and loaders did an excellent job, and the event ran quite smoothly and efficiently. Other inspiring lifters included an 82 year old man who lifted strongly although he needed help getting to the platform, and a 72 year old gentleman who has been a strong lifter for years, and wouldn't let a little thing like having hip replacement surgery 6 weeks before the meet deter him (he reached the platform with the help of a cane). He lifted quite well, although reportedly not up to his usual standards....

If you like powerlifting, consider participating in a national competition. We can attest to the fact that everyone is made to feel welcome, neophyte or not! (And it's a great opportunity to observe successful techniques.)

Jeanne & Steve Harms