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The venue the Peppermill Hotel and Casino was absolutely astounding --Gus had the perfect platform with NO red or white lights--he had a huge electronic board that displayed YES or NO for each Judge and when a new record was being attempted (and MANY of them fell) a sign flashed on and off indicating that something BIG was about to happen --The crowd was terrific --the atmosphere was electric and the judging was top notch..It's the best WABDL Worlds I've ever competed in. And I brought home 2 first place silver loving cups weighing about 10 pounds each..The main reason I HAD to be at this years Worlds was to defend my deadlift record..somehow in the summer I lost a meet to J.R. Hill with an easy 551 (which I later lifted in August @ Alki) So I thought for sure J.R. would be in Reno for a go at my 578 world record --but he was a no-show..and It only took 562 to win ..I easily lifted 507--551 and 562 for the "Gold" It was amazing that my deadlift revived as I was actually falling asleep minutes before Deadlift warm ups..I felt strong on the day but didn't use a belt and I think I might have strained a group of muscles in my left side with the easy 562 --or I would've given the 584 --or 600 a go ..Even today (the Wednesday after the meet) I have a sharp pain along the rib area and in the middle of my Lat..so not going for a new record might have been wise. In the Bench I was very strong but my last attempt with 440 (I did 450 in August) was just short of lock out --ending the day with only 429--this again was a first place but I felt silly missing a light attempt in a "Worlds" event...I told Colin Bonneau and Robert Ward the guys who were helping me between attempts that the 440 should have been my 2nd attempt--then my triceps would have been "fresher" for the challenge... Speaking of Colin --He did a beautiful 468 pounds to come in 2nd to the legendary George Nelson --Colin only wears a loose single ply poly shirt wheras George wears a double ply denim...so altho George is the "worlds best Master bencher" he also has a technical advantage over Colin ---Colin has recently lost bodyweight (altho he looks BIGGER to me) and has GAINED strength his next meet Colin expects to lift 217.5 KGs --479.5 pounds I Know he'll make it...Colin entered the huge 'class 1' section too..and came in a terrific 3rd place against a sea of young guys !! --My other Pal at the meet Robert Ward a school teacher from Oregon DEADLIFTED 480 lbs @ 198 in the 47-53 masters --He gave 501 a nice ride half the way up and has made 500 in an APF meet in the past. There was a huge Canadian contingent listed ..many of the lifters I'd never met but Canada was possibly the best represented country altho Guatemala had LOTS of lifters as well !! Highlights : Top deadlifter-- Noah Chambreau did 805 in the open mens category @ 242 bwt. Rock Howard did 744 @ 233 in the Dead to take best lifter in the Law /Fire class..Bull Stewart coached him ! Phil Andrews one of the best deadlifters of all time (and a Master ) was shooting for 815 --but seemed to be injured and missed his opener (770) and bombed--he was last years top man --beating Bull Stewart's World DL record--Next time Phil !!! Our Friend Randy Young pulled a beautifully smooth 650 -(-coming back from Alki where 580 wouldn't go)--Nice come back big guy !! Ryan Kennelly benched a beautiful 711 in the 308 open class last year Ryan was a "Guest lifter" --after getting a positive test in an earlier meet. 'Tiny Meeker' from 'Humble' Texas ( that is an Ironic sentence ) nearly got 711 in the bench but missed and had to settle for his opener in the womens class---- Jerri Lynn Lippert did an incredible bench of 308 @ 132 --almost had 330 up--that is sensational lifting sidenote: ( There was such gossiping in the audience about the incredible lifting by the women --that Gus Got wind of it --and tested scads of the 'Manly Gals' and the best coefficients of the female lifters ---at the Time Gus predicted that most would pass -but he wanted to squelch the "talk" ) Bombs and lessons: Powerlifting USA Cover man Tom Manno an expert bencher opened too heavy 733?? and ripped a shirt --put on another--couldnt get the weight DOWN --it rolled out of his hands and landed on his chest--was saved a bit by the spotters and he courageously came back for a 3rd attempt --still no lift so a fabulous lifter bombed.. It can happen to all of us--and I've had a similiar problem not getting the BIG lift I wanted and having the end score card list me as sub par(getting only a light opener) on a day where I needed only one more attempt to correct something that went wrong --reflecting incorrectly my level of strength that day ...The lesson might be --open with a sure thing (well DUH !) Go for BROKE on your 2nd attempt and if you miss IT-- the 3rd attempt will give you a chance to zero in on any weakness in form --plus the 2nd attempt may be a "dress rehearsal" It's a gamble --but not as big a gamble as going for a PR on your first attempt no matter HOW your training went..I routinely do 435 and 445 benches with my shirt in the gym--but some meets I only get 429 after knowing I have more--the bench --the platform --the pause all those factors make a competition lift a different animal from the big gym lifts--also, if training was sensational --but warm ups at the meet stunk--re figure that opener !! common sense ..but even Giants like Manno and Andrews have found out the hard way ! but of course they will be back with monster lifts !! OF course there is the Anthony Clark syndrome --I guess he's "been there -done that" with 733--760 and such --that ONLY New territory is worth anything to him --hence the string of bombs that have followed him lately..(kind of like----' if I cant get 800 --I dont want anything' ) so attitude and goals vary from lifter to lifter--but I'd always like to get IN the meet first.. ON FLYING: My flight on Alaska was very good and I got a super low rate -- a 'mend the fences' advertising method that Alaska put in to get the planes full--and OVER full they were --they did the old "any one want to get a free ticket to anywhere for not flying this time?? trick" Colin and Betty Bonneau -went for it and have a free ticket to anywhere --Mexico even---But me.. I needed to get back even before I got there --I did 2 commercials and an Anime' audition Thurs BEFORE flying down--Lifted on Friday--and took the early flight Saturday(getting up at 4:00 am ) to get home to Announce the winning Lotto numbers on Global TV--Hectic-- In the USA I almost cheered when I saw National Guardsmen (and Women) in their camoflage outfits with the meanest looking rifles I'd ever seen ..outside of a movie..what a way to inspire confidence !!! It made me feel fine getting on board-after photo I.D.'s last minute checks on passengers who pegged the suspicion meter..It was a better experience than I had imagined--the only eerie moment was getting to the Vancouver airport Thursday to find about 10 passengers in the whole place--I thought--It's true everyone's freaked and wont fly anymore--BUT in the States it was packed and coming back customs line ups in Canada were hundreds deep an impatient person living Hell.. In Conclusion: It was a splendid event--great food and swank hotel --(except for the DAMN smokers in the casino)--a timely smooth Powerlifting Contest that far out does many of the other federations--for the real scoop please read all about the many even more sensational lifters in upcoming issues of POWERLIFTING USA and POWERMAG and to see what contests you'd like to enter in 2002 please log on to WABDL to DRUG FREE Lifting ! Robo |