The Global Powerlifting Committee (formerly World Powerlifting Committee) World Powerlifting and Bench Press Championships were held at the Classic Center in beautiful downtown Athens, Ga. November 3-7, 2004. I want to thank all the spotter/loaders, judges and everyone else who helped out with running the meet. A special thanks to Cybex International for their sponsorship and displaying equipment. Thanks also to Titan and Ken Anderson for their sponsor help and for bringing shirts, suits and other powerlifting goods to the contest. In 5 days there were no miss loads and the bar didn’t touch the floor until it was supposed to in the deadlift.

There were 60 benchers in session one bench press day and the USA were the team champions with France as runner up.

Michael Gacek was the lone 13-15 entrant in the 82.5kg class. David Lee won the 82.5kg class in the 18-19 class. In the 18-19 teenage class Steven Faulkner of Gainesville, Ga. won over Jean Botha of South Africa with a world record 205 kg. In the junior division it was Richard Brown over his teammate from Great Britain with 140kg. The lone competitor in the 125kg junior class was Andre Conrad from Germany with a European record of 262.5kg.

Jason Jackson of the US was the star of the open men’s division with a 320kg bench at 109.8 bodyweight in the 110kg class earning him best lifter for the bench division. Jeremy Zimmerman became the strongest Canadian bencher ever with 300kg taking 2^nd to Jackson followed by Jani Inhalainen of Finland in 3^rd place with 250kg. In the 125kg open it was Heath Powers over teammate Robert Paden of the US followed by Alois Strobl of Austria.

Marc Chenin of France in the 40-44 125kg master’s division had a European record of 256.5kg and Gary Bobrovitz of Canada had a world Record 120kg in the 50-54 in the 60kg class. Frank Taylor of the US had a World Record with a 4^th attempt 177.5 in the 90kg master 60-64 division. In the women’s division Virpi Pukkila of Finland made a European Record 110kg winning her best lifter in the Women’s Division.

Session two brings the teenage division with Michael Gacek of the US leading the way in the 13-15 division and Jean Botha of South Africa winning the 18-19 100kg class.

In the Junior division Pieter Calus of Belgium won the 67.5kg class with Benna Bartsch of Germany in the 75kg class over Kieran James of England. Ben Williams of England won the 125kg class.

Lightweight masters 40-44 division was led by Gerry McNamara of Ireland in the 67.5kg class followed by Jim Butler of Ireland in the 75kg class. Gary Bobrovitz of Canada took the 50-54 age group in the 67.5kg class with Danny Thompson of the US taking the 55-59 75kg class. Budgie Mullen of England won the 60-64 light men’s division in the 67.5kg class followed by Roger Peters of South Africa in the 75kg class.

Session three begins with JJ Dunne of Ireland winning over Eric Hoffmeyer of South Africa in the 82.5kg master 40-44 class. Robert Lovelace of the US led the way in the 82.5kg 50-54 class. Thomas Dillon of Ireland won in the master 60-64 class followed by Ian Morris with first in the 65-69 82.5kg class. Ian is from South Africa but was lifting with his native lads from Ireland. In the 90kg class we lead off with James Slyk of Canada in the 40-44 age group followed by L H Dunn of the Republic of South Africa in the 50-54 class. Master 55-59 was won by Robert Laroudie of France over Frieder Hachenberger of Germany. The 110kg class was won by Tom Bowman of Powder Springs Ga., USA over Alan Gilbert of England. Master 55-59 110kg class was won by the one and only Bill West of England. Going to the 125kg class 40-44 age group Lee Marshall won over teammate Gary Boulton of England in 2^nd place with John O’Neil of Ireland in 3^rd. Ronnie Baker, of the US, Krustian Slosarek of Germany, and Roy Gilbert of the US all had a bad day on the bomb squad.

Session four starts with teenage women. The first three were all sisters from Indiana making their debut on the international platform in good style. In the 13-15 age group we have Hannah Jo Biddle and in the 90+kg class followed by sister Sarah Faye Biddle 13-15 age group 44kg class and finally Abigail Marie Biddle in the 16-17 age group 75kg class.

In the open women Leslie Watson of England won the 48kg class. Team mate Leslie Thomas also of England took the 67.5kg class and top honors as best lifter of the open women’s division. A battle developed in the 67.5kkg class with Lee Steggles of England coming out on top with a European record 522.5kg. In 2^nd place was Wendi Michels of Belgium with 481.5kg followed by Michelle Murawski of the US in 3^rd with a total of 460kg. Jodi VanDeursen of the US had a class of her own in the 75kg class winning with 410kg.

In the master 40-44 age group Margaret Kirkland of the US finished strong with a 177.5kg world record squat in the 52kg class and a 157.5kg world record in the deadlift for a total of 412.5kg. Master 45-49 67.5kg class was dominated by Marie Burrick of Belgium with a European record squat of 117.5kg and a total of 307.5kg. Lora Greco of Canada had a bad day not completing a squat. Better days lie ahead. Ann Leverett, the First Lady of powerlifting in the US was in a class of her own in the 50-54 48kg class dominating with a world record 4^th attempt squat of 137.5kg, a world record bench of 72.5kg and a world record deadlift of 147.5kg. To give this proper perspective, if you are a 320 pound heavy weight, that is over 3 times bodyweight. Ann also had a world record total of 352.5kg. A good days work. Kathy Middleton, a school teacher from Iowa, had a good day winning her 60kg class in the 50-54 age group with 225kg total. Wanda Burnett has better days ahead after not completing a squat. Shelia Rouse dominated her 60kg class in the 55-59 age group with a total of 252.5kg.

In the light weight open men 67.5kg class winner was Michael Romanello of the US with a total of 575.5kg. In the 82.5kg class Shane Brodie of Ireland won with an Irish record bench press of 172.5kg and an Irish record total of 722.5 kg. Taking 2^nd place was Adam Brooks of England with a fine total of 675kg.

Session five leads off with 8 competitors in the 90kg open class. Corey Evans of Canada was champion with a squat of 367.5kg, bench 240kg, and deadlift of 260kg for a total of 867.5kg. In 2^nd was Chris Jenkins of England with a squat of 332.5kg, bench 182.5kg and 330kg deadlift totaling 845kg. And in 3^rd place Bernard DeLaney of Ireland with a squat of 300kg, Bench 225, and deadlift 295 totaling 820. Rounding out the 90kg class was Anthony Cross of England, Marco Lamprecht of Germany, Paul Newell of England, Brian Johnston of Canada, and finally Andy Fisher of Canada. A good day for all the 90kg class.

In the 100kg class a much improved Steven Radford of Alabama dominated with an American record squat of 335kg, bench of 240kg, and deadlift 285kg for a great total of 880kg. The silver went to Tim Ironside of Canada with squat 310kg, bench 232.5kg, deadlift 275kg totaling 817.5kg. Winning the bronze was Robert Graham of England squatting 270kg, benching 155kg finishing uo with deadlift of 250kg for a total of 675kg. The 110kg class was dominated by Agayev Rufat of Azaerbajian who had his own camera crew filming his liftsfor a future bid on the Global Powerlifting Committee World Championships in Azerbajian. His total of 910kg consisted of squat 375kg, bench 207.5kg, and deadlift 327.5kf all in perfect form. Bronze went to Steve Middleton of England squatting 372.5kg, benching 227.5kg, and deadlifting 305kg for a total of 905kg. Bronze went to APC Technical Officer Stephen Parkhurst who squatted an American record 320kg followed by an American record 230kg bench and another American record 305kg for an American record total of 855kg. Good job.

Out of 7 entries in the 125kg class Al Mehan of Canada rose above the best with a 1035kg total by way of a 450 squat just missing a world record attempt of 470.5kg by a hair on depth. He benched 280kg and deadlifted 305kg. Charles Bailey of Florida, a new comer to the APC, made himself known with a 455kg squat, in English that’s 1003 pounds, benching 265kg with a 275kg deadlift totaling 995kg. Jani Ihalainen of Finland won the bronze over Roland Prager of Austria on bodyweight, both totaling 935kg. Jani had a squat of 360kg, bench 260kg, and deadlift 315kg. Finishiing ou the class was Ian Rutherford of England with a total 827.5kg and a British record 210 bench press. Jeff Green, Alabama state chairman for the APC totaling 792.5kg and Lee Thomas of England totaling 790kg.

A much improved energetic Jeffrey Vaughn of Florida won the gold in the 140kg class with a squat of 387.5kg, bench 235kg and deadlift 320kg totaling 942.5kg. Mario Piatelli of Canada took the silver medal with a squat of 320kg and 2875.kg bench, going on to a successful 4^th attempt world record of 292.5kg finishing the day with 275kg in the deadlift for a total of 882.5kg. Bill baker had an unfortunate day after a great squat of 312.5kg missing all 3 benches. Dietmar Zint of Germany dominated the day winning best lifter by way of a 370 kg squat, 290 European record bench followed by a world record 4^th attempt 300kg finishing up with 350kg in the deadlift for a 1065kg total.

Thanks to all athletes, coaches, friends, judges, scoring crew, spotter/loaders, sponsors and everyone I forgot to mention for all your help with this contest. All of you made it the success it was. The Global Powerlifting Championships will be held in Germany in 2005 and Belgium in 2006. See all of you there.

L B and Nadine Baker