2007 IPA World Championships Wrap-Up
as Submitted by Ellen Chaillet to PLUSA
Photos Courtesy Blue Feather Photography
YORK BARBELL HOSTS THE 2007 IPA WORLD POWERLIFTING
AND BENCH PRESS CHAMPIONSHIPS
FULL POWERLIFTING RESULTS
The IPA once again proudly showcased its talented lifters at York Barbell Company, the home of world weightlifting June 23 – 24, 2007. We are honored to have the opportunity to invite lifters and spectators to York Barbell’s hallowed halls to enjoy a world-class venue, spectacular lifting, and the Hall of Fame and Museum. York Barbell’s continued sponsorship of their tremendous facility is greatly appreciated and enjoyed by all. The meet was sponsored by Chaillet’s Private Fitness, co-directed by Chaillet’s Mark and Ellen Chaillet.
All the lifters and spectators enjoyed lunch on Saturday, sponsored again by Outback Steakhouse. Our thanks for the wonderful lunch of Outback signature steak, chicken and vegetables go to owner Mike Kenny for his tremendously generous contribution to the success of yet another meet. The successes of the meets are due to the support of our sponsors. This year’s sponsors also included Weber Insurance Agency who donated custom tee shirts for the lifters, Gatorade for quenching the thirst of all the exceptional athletes, Hill Street Veterinary Hospital, and Reliable Equipment. Thank you all!!
Competition was spiced with lifters hailing from the Ukraine and Israel, with interest from Argentina, Caymans, and Brazil. Hopefully they will be able to join us for competition next year. The lifters came predominantly from across the U.S.
TEENS
Saturday started with a strong statement from both the boys’ and girls’ teen divisions with a total of 16 lifters. It’s reassuring to know that there seems to be plenty of young blood being introduced to the sport with a total of 6 lifters in the 14 – 15 age group. In the 165 lb., 14-15 year boys’ teens the first place spot went to Sebby Buccheri with a 990 lb. total with Tom Holland following close in second with a 915 lb. total. Sebby mastered a 400 lb. squat at only 14-years-old! In the 16 – 17 year classes, the winner of the 148 lb. class was Phil Columbia by a 65 lb. lead over Jon Brida. Phil and Jon squatted 425 lbs. and 430 lbs. respectively. Our winner, Phil, powered out a 460 lb. IPA Record deadlift going 8 for 9 for the day. In the 16 – 17 year, 165 lb. class E.J. Craycraft out performed his competitor John Colas by 190 lbs. E.J. Squatted 405, benched 265, and pulled 455 lbs.
Although Anthony McCloskey competed alone in his weight and age division, he clearly stole the teen show lifting in the 16 – 17 year 220 lb. weight class. Anthony thoroughly impressed us with his performance at the 2006 Nationals. His performance June 23 was stellar breaking three records with an 800 lb. squat, a 630 lb. dead lift, and an 1870 lb. total. He’s only 16-years-old! With plenty of competition and superb performances by all the teens, Anthony earned the coveted Best Lifter Award for the Teen division.
Josh Tafuri, at 114 lbs. and 18 years of age broke the existing squat record with a 265 lb. squat totaling a record 720 lbs. Chris Dellafave squatted a big 700 lbs, a 455 lb. bench and a 650 lb. deadlift for a superb 1805 lb. total. A couple of teens lifted in the Raw Division and set all the records. At 126 lbs. and 14 years of age, Corey Filson proved himself a contender at his first meet setting all the records in the Raw Division with a 200 lb. squat, 130 lb. bench and a 185 lb. dead lift. Mitchell Gyger also set the standard in the 18 – 19 year, 220 lb. Raw class with a 330 lb. squat, a 340 lb. bench , and a 490 lb. deadlift; all IPA records.
A diversity of weight classes and representation in each age group ensured an exciting show from the girls’ teen division. Coming in a decisive first place was none other than the other half of the McCloskey team, Anna took home the best lifter crown lifting in the 181 lb. class. At only 14 years, Anna squatted a record 470 lbs., a 220 lb. record bench and a 380 lb. dead lift for a record breaking 1070 lbs. The McCloskey’s zealous coach also doubles as their dad! Great coaching, great lifting!
Sarah Welcheck continues the family legacy lifting in the 114 lb. class at age 14. Sarah impressed everyone with a record 235 lb. squat winning her first place in her class. Meg Tafuri joined her brother Josh breaking records in the 97 lb., 14 – 15 year class. Meg broke all the records with a 185 lb. squat, 115 lb bench and a fourth attempt 175 lb. dead lift for a record total of 475 lbs. Teammate, Bethany Selph proved she was a force to be reckoned with totaling 555 lbs. lifting in the 16 – 17, 123 lb. weight class.
WOMEN
Competition was slim in the Women’s division, but the competitors were top-notch. In the Amateur 132 lb. division, Jules Furniss posted impressive numbers with a 335 lb. squat, a record 242.5 lb. bench, and a 315 lb. dead lift. In the Elite Amateur division (completely drug tested), Michelle Borzok continued her winning streak in the 148 lb. class with awesome numbers, 450 lb. squat, 380 lb. bench, and a 340 lb. pull. Each competitor took home hard earned Best Lifter Awards for their respective divisions.
AMATEUR MEN’S DIVISIONS
In the Men’s Junior Raw division, John Trout lifting in the 198 lb. class stole the squat record with a 375 lb. squat. In the Men’s Open divisions, Ted Tang in the 148 lb. class pulled a strong 400 lbs. totaling a nice 995 lbs. Bill Carson had to make room on his mantle for his Best Lifter Award in the Amateur Men’s Lightweight Division posting a strong 1600 lb. total in the 181 lb. class. Rick Walker took home the first place award in the 220 lb. class with a 1750 lb. total. At 237 lbs., Cullen Stokes just missed a record-breaking 837.5 lb. squat finishing with 750 and pulled a respectable 600 lbs. winning his class. Dan Zahno proved to be another record-breaker lifting in the Men’s Open Raw 198 lb. division with a 300 lb. record squat and a fourth attempt 460 lb. record dead lift, totaling a record 1000 lbs.
Our Amateur 275 lb. Submaster, Eric Winter squatted a big 800 lbs. for a 1915 lb. total and secured the Best Lifter Award for the Amateur Men’s Heavyweight division. Our favorite cop, Keith Lightner, competing in the Raw Police division posted all records with a 475 lb. squat, 405 lb. bench, a 550 lb. pull, for a record 1430 lb. total.
The weight classes were diverse in the Amateur Men’s Master division and the lifting was exceptional. John Monk, competing in the 165 class broke three of four records in the 40-44 age group with a 515 lb. record squat, 410 lb. record bench for a 1365 lb. record total, and first place. Hailing from York Barbell Company, and the York Barbell Weightlifting Club back in the day, Mike Locondro posted some great numbers going 675, 375, and 500 for a 1550 lb. total in the 242 lb. 40-44 age group. John Gengo never misses a meet . . . and this meet was no exception. At 148 lbs., 45 – 49 age group, John posted a 425 lb. squat, 260 lb. bench, and a 440 lb. pull. NYC’s Ricardo Ingravera is an IPA favorite and took home the gold this meet winning the Amateur Men’s Master Best Lifter Award for a 660 lb. squat, 400 lb. bench, and a record-breaking 620 lb. dead lift, totaling a record 1680 lbs.
PROFESSIONAL MEN’S DIVISIONS
The clear winner of the 198 lb. Pro Men’s Open division was James Kegrice who proved that his trip from San Diego was worthwhile winning the Best Lifter Award for the Professional Men’s Lightweight division. James earned his stripes squatting 750 lbs., benching 460, dead lifting 700, for a 1910 lb. total. Coming in third place after Mark Bailey with a 1655 lb. total was Mike Yontz whose performance is mesmerizing, methodical, and always outstanding. Mike is completely blind, but with fortitude, an incredible sense of self, and balance he posts super numbers squatting 600, benching 410, and pulling 505 at a body weight of 197 lbs.
Dan Blankenship is always exciting to watch and June 24 was no exception. Dan’s performance lifting in the 220 lb. Men’s Open division earned him the Best Lifter Award for the Professional Men’s Heavyweight division. Dan toughed out a 910 lb. squat and attempted a huge, yet unsuccessful 940 lb. squat on his third attempt. A 580 lb. bench and a 650 dead lift rounded out his total at 2140 lbs. Jim Howell also competed in the 220 lb. Men’s Open division. Jim bleeds powerlifting. His energetic, sparkling personality and fortitude makes his appearances on the platform consistently exciting. Jim posted an impressive 700 lb. squat, a 475 lb. bench and a 625 lb. pull.
Brian Weston came to York to take a big squat for a ride, but 1000+ wasn’t in the cards on June 24. Brian is an extraordinary squatter, having squatted over 1000 lbs. as a 242 pounder. Brian lifted in the 275 lb. class this meet and achieved white lights on his second attempt with 950 and stopped there, moving on to accomplish a 525 lb. bench and a 650 lb. pull for a 2125 lb. total relinquishing his chances of winning the Best Lifter Award to Dan Blankenship. Gene Rychlak brought his big Samoan friend Siko Savaiinaea who competed in the Professional Men’s 275 lb. class. Siko made a valiant attempt at a 1005 lb. opening squat, but by the third try Siko’s knee collapsed leaving him in a heap at the base of the squat rack. Everyone was spared injury, except Siko of course. Siko refused ambulance services opting to set up his own triage “stitching” himself up with a couple of wooden dowels and a knee wrap! Siko managed to hobble around for the rest of the meet!
The Men’s Master division Dean Moore stood alone in the 198 lb., 40-44 class but it is clear by his 805 lb. squat that he has been around the powerlifting circuit for a long time. Chuck Blough narrowly stole first place from James Howell by a mere 10 lbs. with an 1810 lb. total in the 220 lb. 40-44 lb. class. John Bott has long been a friend of the IPA and powerlifting. It is great to see John continue to post big numbers with a 905 lb. squat, 570 lb. bench and a 675 lb. pull breaking the IPA total record with a 2150 lbs. in the 275 lb. Men’s Master 40-44 division. Buddy McKee and powerlifting legend Mark Dimiduk went head-to-head in the 275 lb. Men’s Master 50-54 division. Buddy pulled ahead with a 750 lb. squat, 500 lb. bench, and a 550 lb. pull winning him the Professional Master Best Lifter Award. Mark Dimiduk also competed in the Police Division winning first place with a 1590 lb. total.
BENCH ONLY RESULTS
AMATEUR BENCH ONLY DIVISIONS
We were so pleased to welcome Almog Dayan to the competition. Almog made the trek from Israel to compete at York Barbell Company. Almog came to break the records in both the Raw and equipped divisions. Competing in the 18 – 19 year, 114 lb. division, she succeeded with a 135 lb. Raw bench record, donned a bench shirt and benched an impressive 170 lbs. taking away both records. Almog pulled a 215 lb. personal dead lift record, which happens to be a new Raw division record. Almog packed the Amateur Women’s Teen Best Lifter Award in her suitcase.
Representing the Ukraine were Oleg Symanyshyn (165 lbs.), Pavlo Zinko (181 lbs.), and junior division lifter Svyatoslav Gerezhuk (165 lbs.). All three gentlemen are great ambassadors for their country and for powerlifting. Oleg lifted in the Raw Men’s Junior division benching 220 lbs. Pavlo posted a 275 lb. bench lifting in the Men’s Open Raw division.
In the Amateur Men’s Open division, Richard Putnam took home the Amateur Best Lifter Award for the Bench Press division. At 275 lbs. Richard never disappoints the crowd, and his 705 lb. bench was no exception. The next biggest bench in the Open division was pressed by 308 pounder Aaron Utermahlen who benched 650 lbs. At 275 lbs., Robert Norris broke the 600 lb. mark with a 605 lb. bench. Steven Dussault broke the existing record in the 198 lb. class with a 560 lb. bench. Kyle Stephens smashed the existing IPA record in the 275 lb. Men’s Submaster division with a huge 705 lb. bench. Don Joy not only stole everyone’s heart, but he proved that for 75 years and 251 lbs. of solid muscle, his 335 lb. fourth attempt record bench isn’t too shabby! Don successfully completed all four attempts earning him the Amateur Men’s Master Best Lifter Award in the Bench Only Division.
There were records broken by both the Police division lifters. At 148 lbs., Robert Legg set a record at 210 lbs., and James Shaughnessy smashed the existing 198 lb. class record with a 470 lb. bench.
As the sole Bench Only lifter in the Elite Amateur division, Ronald performed as exceptionally as always benching a huge 775 lbs. in the 275 lb. class winning him the Best Lifter Award.
PROFESSIONAL BENCH ONLY DIVISIONS
David Sands, II who lifted in the 165 lb. Junior class broke the record with a 405 lb. bench. The Men’s Open Professional classes were diverse ranging in weight classes from 220 through SHW. The big lift for the day was 805 lbs. benched by SHW Robert McCray. At 220 lbs., Bobby Fields pressed a huge 700 lbs. Rob Capozzolo benched 550 at 275 lbs., followed by David Murray benching 520 lbs. in the 308 lb. class. Bill Cox more than doubled his bodyweight benching 460 at 216 lb. bodyweight. Sean Hailey had a great day benching 500 at a bodyweight of 198 lbs.
The winner of our Professional Men’s Master Best Lifter Award went to Robert Bellerby with a record breaking 470 lb. bench just two weeks after suffering a heart attack! His doctor said no to squatting and dead lifting, but gave Bob the thumbs up to bench; and bench he did! Steve Hartlaub posted his usual exceptional number with a 550 lb. bench at a bodyweight of 212 lbs. Bentz Tozer, Jr. cruised to a win in the 308 lb. 45 – 49 age division with a 560 lb. bench. Scott Bixler lifted in the 220 lb., 50-54 age class totaling a 385 lb. bench.
The crowd had a chance to see history happen as big Gene Rychlak, Jr. tried to break the 1025 lb. bench press barrier. In November 2006, Gene took 1025 lbs. a couple inches off his chest, 7 months later we all watched Gene take 1025 lbs. halfway to completion. Clearly this monster bench is in Gene’s foreseeable future.
As always, special thanks are extended to all those dear friends whose help make these meets happen. Their dedication and perseverance ensures that the IPA Nationals and World meets run as smooth as silk. . . every time.