The Maryland Powerlifting Report 2/26/08

100% RAW Responds to BMF Allegations:

In a statement which was posted at the 100% RAW and Powerlifting Watch, Paul Bossi (President-100% RAW) responds to suggestions that there are"inconsistencies and improprieties" with the drug testing program at 100% RAW.

Paul Bossi:

I am Paul Bossi. I am the president of the 100% RAW Powerlifting federation and I am posting this to set the record straight about recent allegations of "inconsistencies and improprieties within 100% RAW".

Incident 1: After the Bench Worlds last year, one of the urine samlpes broke while in shipment to the lab. It leaked and washed the information off of the labels on 4 samples. The lab informed me of this and I told them to go ahead and run the samples because I didn't think any of them would come back positive anyway. One of them came back positive for desoxymethyltestosterone (DMT). We could not determine beyond the shadow of a doubt who's sample tested positive so we took no action.

Incident 2: I allowed a lifter to lift in the Bench Worlds who was within 1 month of serving out his suspension with the USAPL. I did that as favor to him with the understanding that he would be tested at the worlds. He tested positive at the worlds and has been banned from 100% RAW for 5 years. His name has not been removed from the results quite honestly because I have been so busy that I have not taken the time to do it. As soon as I get a new website administrator the results will be updated.

It seems that every time I try to help someone I get burned. That is my decision. 100% RAW is my federation and I will run it as I see fit. If you have questions about what I do, contact me directly. Please don't listen to rumors. I try to run a fair organization and rules will be followed. However, if there is any doubt, I will not ruin a lifter's career.

BMF - Good luck with the new direction you have chosen and thank you for all the work that you did for 100% RAW.

Paul Bossi
100% RAW Powerlifting Federation
President
e-mail: rawlifting@aol.com

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The Maryland Powerlifting Report 2/25/08

The Arnold Sports Festival:
Later this week, the USAPL will make its debut at the Arnold Classic in Columbus, OH. Four different events will be competed; the GNC Pro Performance Deadlift Challenge, the IPF Titan Pro Bench Bash, the USA Powerlifting Raw Challenge and the Quest American Invitational.

Maryland's Matt Gary will be coaching lifters from the Mid West Region who will be competing in the Quest American Invitational. Matt sends the following:

Next weekend the USAPL takes over the powerlifting portion of the Arnold Classic. Sherman Ledford has done an amazing job with the Quest American Invitational. The team format will match some of the best lifters from around the country competing against one another by Wilks Score.

The Midwest Region has six team members with WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP experience.

Here's what I'm talkin' about:
Name BW Class Division Total Wilks
1 Marcus Williams 67.5 <>
2 Wade Hooper 75 Open 857.5 611
3 David Hammers 75 <>
4 Tyson Greene 90 <>
5 Jeff Douglas 110 Master 907.5 535.27
6 Tony Cardella 125 Open 1018 580
7 Greg Wagner 125 Open 942.5 537
8 Jeff Lewis 125+ Open 1040 553.07

Leading off...we have up and coming lifters Marcus Williams, David Hammers, and Tyson Greene. These guys are starting to make some serious noise and if you don't them by now, everyone will by next Saturday. Wade Hooper needs no introduction. The question is more like, "What hasn't this guy done?" He's a multi-time IPF World Champion with a 766-pound squat. For all of you that think Jeff Douglas doesn't have anything left in the tank, you're wrong. Jeff's not the least bit complacent and has been putting up huge numbers for as long as I can remember. How's this for a 1-2 punch? Tony Cardella is the current IPF World Champion at 275 and Greg Wagner has been his runner-up for several years. And last, but certainly not least, we've got one of the biggest and baddest men on the planet in Jeff Lewis.

These guys are gonna make my job easy. I’m not sweatin’ too much. I may just sit back and coach from my recliner.

Best wishes to ALL the USAPL competitors at the Arnold Classic. It's gonna be huge!

Coach Matt Gary - Midwest Region


Local News:
John Shifflett (VA State Chairman- USAPL/100% RAW) announced the following at the Virginia Powerlifting message board:

The meet in Leesburg is a go! The 100% Raw Freedom USA will take place at Golds Gym on June 28. The meet will be single lifts Bench Press, Deadlift and Strict Curls. Awards will be sculptured Bulldogs by Carl Seeker they weigh close to 20 pounds each. Make your plans to be there.

To print an entry form, click here.

Results:
February 2- APA Battle of the Bad- Florence, SC; click here.

February 16- Delaware Iron Fest- Rehobeth, DE; click here.

ADAU News:
Last Thursday (2/21/08), the new date for the Single Lift Nationals was noted as July 28. It should have read July 26. The correct date was entered on the calendar.

USAPL News:
2008 Women's World Team:

Michele Van Dusen 48
Sioux-z Hartwig-Gary 52
Ashley Matherne 56
Jennifer Thompson 60
Priscilla Ribic 67.5
Daliann James 75
Liane Blyn 82.5
Bonica Brown 90
Jessica O'Donnell 90+

Women's World Team Alternates:

1 DISA HATFIELD 75
2 JILL ARNOW 90
3 HARRIETT HALL UNL
4 JENNIFER PERRY 60
5 VANESSA GAUTHIER 90
6 VALERIE BAXTER 90
7 KATEY DODGE 90
8 Jayna Vande Voort 52
9 JANEL BROWN 56
10 ROWENA LOPEZ 56
12 PAULA HOUSTON 67.5
11 JENNIFER GAUDREAU 60
13 RHONDA CLARK 75
14 LAURA STYRLUND 75
15 MALINDA BAUM 82.5
16 CYDNEY "CI CI" SMITH 75
17 KENDRA MILLER 56
18 KELLI LAMBERT 75
19 RITA CARLSSON 60
20 SUE HALLEN UNL
21 STEPHANIE BYROM 48
22 DONNA MARTS 67.5
23 REBEKAH LAIR 75
24 MICHELLE SORA 82.5
25 JANE LARSEN-WELBORN 67.5
26 RUTH WELDING 67.5

To review complete statisitics, click here.

Arnold Sports Competitor Registration & Information; important information for athletes participating in the Arnold sports Festival. Click here.

Website- Collegiate Nationals; April 11-13, Denver, CO.

USPF News:
Photos from the American Cup can be viewed here and here.

Fit Expo/American Cup Review; by Brent Miksell. Click here.

Nominations are being accepted for the Hall of Fame. To place a name in nomination for the Class of 2008, contact Courtney Stanley. To view the list of candidates, click here.

WPF News:
Russia and Canada to join the WPF? According to a report at the USPF website:

For one the WPF is in preliminary discussions with Russia. The Russian Federation has 1500 lifters! Erik Butzelaar and Courtney Stanley are presently in contact with Yuri Ustinov President of the Russian Team.

Also Canada is discussing possible WPF Affiliation. in concert with the Canada vs. Iceland event this year!

Jani Mutomaki from Finland will compete for Iceland in 2008 and there are discussions about Finland's association with the WPF!.... all very exciting times for our World Affiliate.

Interview with Deadlift Specialist, Dean Nichols:
As told by Tom Isbell of Christian Powerlifters of America (CPOA)

(CPOA)Thank you for allowing me this privilege to interview you Dean. I have had the opportunity to get to know you but others may have not had that that chance. Lets start with telling us about yourself as a powerlifter.

(DN)I have been powerlifting for 24 years but have only been actively competing for the last 2 years. I have competed in the W.N.P.F. for 2 years and have recently competed in the A.P.A. in 2008. I always compete in the raw, drug tested (SHW) class in deadlifting so I guess you could call me a specialist. I got into powerlifting due to my background of weight training for football.

(CPOA)I had no idea that you have been lifting for 24 years! That is pretty impressive. Many of your competitors weren’t even born when you started lifting. Have you always been big and strong and did you compete in any other sports while in high school or college?

(DN) I wasn’t always this big. In high school I was 6”4” at around 220 lbs. And ended up around 320 lbs. In college due to the great food at the training tables there. I competed in football, basketball and track while in high school. I made all state in football and track with several all-star teams while playing for Bassett High School in Bassett Virginia. I played football for 2 years at Ferrum Jr. College for coach Hank Norton. I made several all-star teams and honorable all American Jr. College while there. I played 2 years at the University of Richmond and made a couple of all American honorable mention teams when I played football there. I have always been athletically inclined so I was fortunate enough to be able to play sports in particular football for a good part of my earlier years.

(CPOA)What are your best lifts in competition and do you hold any state, American or World records?

(DN)My best lifts in competition are 761 Lb. Deadlift raw, drug tested without a belt or any supported gear. I was in a bad truck accident a few years ago, which has caused my bench to suffer keeping me out of full meets. I have a world record along with the national record and the South Carolina state record in the open raw shw. Class in the W.N.P.F. and the all time South Carolina deadlift record of 761 lbs. I also hold the national record of 727 lbs. In the open raw shw. 40-44 class. All these lifts are in the drug tested division. I have competed in the A.P.A. and have set several records in this organization in the 341 lb class. They are as follows: 4 state records in the open, open raw, masters 45-49 and masters 45-49 raw. National records are as follows: 45-49 drug tested, 45-49 untested. World records are as follows: raw untested, raw drug tested, 45-49 raw tested and untested, All these records were for the deadlift so I hold 5 state records, 9 national records and 5 world records in various organizations. I am presently working on my squat and bench with hopes of doing some full meets in the future

To read more, click here.

BMF Sports Makes Split with 100% RAW Official, Opens New Message Board:

In opening his new message board, Shawn "Bud" Lyte writes the following:

With the transfer of control of their websites this afternoon, the split from 100% RAW Powerlifting Federation is now complete, five weeks ahead of schedule.

With knowledge of inconsistencies and improprieties within 100% RAW, we will not send any lifters to 100% RAW meets this year. Drug-free is supposed to mean drug-free, without exception. We will not tell lifters they can't or shouldn't lift in that federation, but we will not cover their entry fees for those meets. Lifting in that federation will not affect their sponsorships at all.

As of April 2008, we will officially endorse Jesse Rodgers' SPF and sponsor lifters for those meets. SPF has top-notch, national-level competition, and we can rest assured that our lifters will definitely be fairly judged at their meets. In keeping with my statement of not getting directly involved with another federation, this is not a partnership or working directly with the SPF, so there is no going back on my word or double standard being set.

In light of Spero's support of the Raw Unity Meet, we're considering endorsement of RAW United once we are clear on their relationship with 100% RAW. If it truly is as Spero has explained, we'll start sending our regional lifters to those meets and possibly sponsoring the meets.

BMF Sports' commitment and responsibilities are to our clients, partners, associates and, of course, athletes. Our powerlifting efforts will concentrate upon progressive support of the Raw Unity Powerlifting Championships, and supporting - by way of sponsorships and advertising dollars - those who support Eric's efforts.

We hope these developments will once again allow us the opportunity to work with Sam Byrd and Iron Playground on something progressive and of multi-faceted benefit.

This year in powerlifting is off to a great start and we look forward to the opportunities ahead.

Shawn "Bud" Lyte
BMF Sports
Where's the BMF in you?
http://www.bmfsports.com/

The Maryland Powerlifting Report 2/21/08

Congratulations Matt!
Matt Gary has been selected to serve as a coach for the USA Men's team to 6th Annual NAPF/IPF Regional Championships which will be held in Aruba, June 18-21.

From Robert Keller ( NAPF General Secretary,IPF North American Region) :

Coaching Staff Update:

Matt Gary will be coaching the USA Mens Team and Jim Brown will be coaching the USA Womens Team for the 2008 NAPF/IPF North American Powerlifting Championships that will take place in Oranjestad, Aruba on June 18-21, 2008.

If you're interested in attending this championship, please send me a message and I will see that it is forwarded to the assigned coach.

James Townsend will not be able to attend. He has received a very nice job assignment at the University of Virgina, which he has accepted. I/we wish him great success.

Results:
USPF America Cup; February 16-17, Los Angeles, CA (Fit Expo)- click here
*video of squats, from Powerlifting Watch- click here.

Scot Mendelson Bench Press Classic; February 16-17, Los Angeles, CA- click here (xls doc)

From Powerlifting Watch:
The IPF has placed the Russian Powerlifting Federation (RPF) on suspension due to the failure and suspension of Yoriy Fedorenko. Fedorenko was fined and suspended effective September 24, 2007 for two years as a result of Out of Contest postive result. He did not participate in the '07 World Powerlifting Championships.

The RPF had an earlier suspension lifted (see Press Release) and were on probation when Fedorenko tested positvie. Terms of the probation called for another year of suspension to be imposed if there were to be even one failure during the probationary period. The current suspension runs from October 21, 2007 through August 30, 2008 (10 months). Results from the '07 World Championships will be recognized. The RPF , provided there are no future failures, will be eligiable to participate in the '08 World Championships.

According to Powerlifting Watch, "extenuating circumstances dictated a shortened 10 month suspension."

According to the recent IPF press release (released at Powerlifting Watch);

With that sentence hanging over the heads of the Russian Federation, some encouraging developments were observed in the IPF. A domestic Out-of-Competition testing programme was reported, with mostly negative results and positives acted on by suspension. In Russia’s return to World Championships, in Austria last October, no less than 16 Russian lifters were tested, with all results negative. The RPF has provided Whereabouts details for many of its international lifters and has co-operated with IPF Out-of-Competition testing in Russia.

The IPF Executive has considered all aspects of the recent situation with the RPF and has determined that the positive test result, at a time of suspended sentence for the RPF, must be met with a further federation suspension. However the IPF has taken into account the other steps forward by the RPF in 2007 and has tailored the federation penalty to reflect the circumstances of this case.

To read more, click here.

ADAU News:
Update- roster for the Greater Johnstown Open; February 23, Johnstown, PA

From Al Siegel (President, ADAU):

Squat, Bench Press and Deadlift Single Lift Nationals have been changed as follows:

New date is: July 28, 2008
Location is: Lehighton Recreation Center
243 S. Eighth St.
Lehighton PA 18235

Meet Director is: Rob Eckhart
1271 E. Lizard Creek Road
Lehighton PA
18235 610-377-5852
eckart1@ptd.net

New applications will be mailed to all ADAU members within the next few weeks.

IPF News:
Press Release- Suspension of the Russian Powerlifting Federation

Update- 2007 National Doping Test Reports

USAPL News:
Update- 2008 Master's Nationals; click here for website.

From Critical Bench: Interview With Powerlifter Steve "The Bringer" Birdsong
As told to CriticalBench.com by Curt Dennis Jr. "The Brute" of Planetrage.com - February 2008

STEVE "THE BRINGER" BIRDSONG...truly an iron freak! Steve has been pushing me hard throughout this year even though he trains raw and I train in gear, our goals are the same. When you see this monster lift, it instantly motivates you to lift as well. He's ranked #3 in the 308s raw total and is looking to make his trek to #1. Not to mention, he's a semi-pro football player as well and a soon to be father. He's one of my writers on planetrage.com and damn proud to call him brother. Steve brings the same intensity from the football field to the gym and onto the platform. It shows, and has earned the nickname "THE BRINGER"...but I'll let Steve speak for himself...

Critical Bench: Hey, thanks for doing this interview. Steve, please introduce yourself.

My name is Steven Birdsong, I'm a 24 year old powerlifter in the open raw 308 division, and I wanna say it's an honor to be doing this interview.

Critical Bench: How long have you been into powerlifting?

I started when I was 17 and it's been 7 great years so far.

Critical Bench: Tell us about your childhood and how you got into powerlifting?

Well I was always the kid that got picked on in high school, and I never really felt like I fit in that well. I decided that I needed to take the initiative to change the way things were going, and I picked up my first weight bench for $50 at a yard sale. From that point on, my training became almost an addiction and it all escalated from there.

Critical Bench: Who did you look up to when you were coming up as a powerlifter?

Bill Kazmaier has always been the one guy that amazed me constantly, whether it was on the lifting platform, or in strongman. I still find myself using his accomplishments for motivation.

Critical Bench: How long have you been a semi-pro football player?

I've played two full seasons with the Missouri Outlaws football organization. I play both defensive tackle on d line, and left and right guard on the o line.

Critical Bench: What would you say to a novice lifter or to a lifter whose just starting out in powerlifting?

Mainly just this quote by Michelangelo.... "The greater danger for most of us is not that we aim to high and we miss it, but that we aim to low and never reach it." That always made a lot of sense to me and ever since I read it, it's always stuck with me.

To read more, click here.

The Maryland Powerlifting Report 2/18/08

Sioux-z Makes it 13!
Sioux-z Hartwig-Gary won her 13th National title at the USAPL, Women's Nationals that were held February 15-17 in Killeen, TX. Sioux-z had a 162.5 kg squat, 101 kg bench and a 160 kg deadlift for a 423.5 kg total.

Her 101 kg (222 lbs) bench press set a new Master 1 World Bench Press record. She missed 105 on her third attempt. Also, as a result of her great effort, she was lifter for the day.

Congratulations Sioux-z!

Local News:
Roster- USAPL Navy OPen; February 23, Annapolis, MD

APF News:
Roster- 2008 Senior Nationals; May 30-June 1, Omaha, NE

IPF News:
Update- National Doping Report

USAPL News:
Results- Days 1,2 & 3, Women's Nationals

The Maryland Powerlifting Report 2/14/08

In Memoriam

Paul Salisbury
July 7, 2007
Age 59

Paul Salisbury passed away - On July 7, 2007 due to complications of open heart surgery at the age of 59. Paul’s career in Powerlifting started in high school at the Albany YMCA in New York. His first Powerlifting Meet was in Gloversville, New York 1964. He competed and won several state, regional, and national tournaments. In 1974 Paul turned to Olympic Weightlifting, pursuing and receiving his goal of making the 1980 United States Weightlifting Team.

To read more, click here

Paul is the brother of Maryland powerlifter Steven Salisbury of St. Marys County. I just recently learned of Steven's loss. Maryland Powerlifting offers its condolences.


Local News:
John Shifflet (VA State Chairman-USAPL/100% RAW) has announced that he will hold the USAPL Blue Ridge BP/DL & Reps Challenge on September 27, 2008. More information to come soon!

Scott Taylor (President- APA) announces the following:

The APA Line State Open Championships will take place July 19, 2008 in California, Maryland. 4 contests will take place: Full Power, Push-Pull, Bench Only, or Deadlift Only.

Each contest will have full weight classes in each age increment and each contest will have RAW, regular gear, and UNLIMITED gear divisions.

Start training. This should be a large event.

For an entry form, click here.

100% RAW News:
BMF Sports will soon end direct support to 100% RAW (see February 4, 2008). Shawn "Bud" Lyte (founder/owner-BMF Sports) has managed both the website and the message board. As of April 1, he will longer perform those functions.

In a message at the message board, he seeks a replacement:

As you may know, 100% RAW will need new web management soon. A significant part of that will be a moderator for this forum. If you'd like to assume the task, please contact Paul ASAP. Whoever gets his go-ahead can take over as soon as we get word from Paul.

If a replacement isn't in place by of March 31, 2008, the forum will become unmoderated on April 1 and likely quickly sink to the level of most other forums.

There are too many good people here - in too good an environment - to let that happen, so if you're just a little web savvy and care enough to keep the positive experience going here, contact Paul at pres@rawpowerlifting.com to state your interest.

USAPL News:
Larry Maile (President- USAPL) shares the the 2007 Doping Report:

All,
Here is how the doping report looks for 2007:

UCLA tests: 29 tests, 2 positive, one for anabolics (etc.), and one for stimulants.
Institute Biochemie (Cologne): 2 tests, both negative.
Quest Diagnostics: 684 tests, 24 positive.

There are still a couple cases in progress which will affect final numbers, but this is what we have at the moment.

This does not include IPF testing: 34 tested, 33 negative, one in process.

All together: 744 U.S. lifters tested in 2007.

Updates- Women's Nationals
Tentative flight schedule- Friday and Saturday.

Sunday schedule- One session/two flights.


From Critical Bench: Interview With Powerlifting Squat Connoisseur Jeff Lewis
Interviewed By Ben Tatar of CriticalBench.com - February 2008

Jeff Lewis is an elite powerlifter that is a serious contender for the Total record. He has proven his merit in the both the WPO and USAPL federations. Jeff was kind enough to do a phone interview that has been transcribed below. Prepare to learn a thing or three from this gentle giant aka King Louie, Jeff Lewis.

1) Critical Bench: Ben Tatar here and I'm talking to Big Man Jeff Lewis. Jeff anyone that even remotely follows powerlifting knows how dominant you are in the sport. How did the journey begin for you?

Jeff Lewis: A guy named Joe Scalzitti got me started. He saw me the first day, I joined. I just turned 21. He asked if I lifted and I said "I just mess around, nothing serious." I bench pressed 225 for 4 reps and 275 for 2 reps on that day. He told me that I was too big to not do the sport. Then Mike Anderson took me under his wing and my powerlifting career took off from there.

2) Critical Bench: Wow, you are a lot stronger today than you were back then! What are your best lifts?

Jeff Lewis: Hahahaha, I know! Much, MUCH stronger!

In the USAPL my best squat is 959, bench 722 and 722 deadlift.

In the WPO my best squat is 1212.5, bench 815 and deadlift 771.

3) Critical Bench: How does it feel to have one of the biggest squats on Earth both equipped and unequipped?

Jeff Lewis: It's nice to do that in retrospect. It's a good accomplishment. I don't get all caught up in the numbers. Anytime, I look back, it feels good.

To read more, click here.

Jeff Lewis 1212 lb squat

The Maryland Powerlifting Report 2/11/08

APA News:
Scott Taylor (President-APA) on the '08 Worlds:

The WPA World Championships will be the weekend of May 10th in Fairhaven, Vermont at Fairhaven High School. The RAW World Championships will be run in conjunction with this event. Next year we will most likely host a separate RAW World Championships as the RAW segment of the APA has been growing so fast.

This years event is approximately 1 hour from the Canadian border so those planning on competing in an International event better be prepared to face some new and very fierce competition. We also expect some Russian lifters to compete and I can think of one Russian 308 who lifts RAW and will be hard to beat if he decides to participate in this years event.

We will be offering a "pro-division" as well for those who wish to compete for some $$$$. More details to follow. The pro-division will feature RAW, standard gear, and Unlimited Gear categories.

Attention Referees- Scott Taylor sends the following request:

Any APA referee's please email me with your current contact info. My email addy is scott@apa-wpa.com

Many have moved and not provided new addresses, phone numbers etc. Several who took the online exam bypassed the part where you put in your mailing address and just put down a state or in some cases just their hometown and not state. In addition, some put down thier first name or nickname and not a last name.

We need to know who you are, where you are from, and how to contact you in order to utilized you. Lots of folks scored well on the exam but we have no idea what area your from etc.

Thanks.

IPF News:
Update- National Doping Report

USAPL News:
Roster- USAPL Navy Open

From Critical Bench: Interview With Powerlifting Squat Prodigy - Scott Weech
Interviewed By Ben Tatar of CriticalBench.com - February 2008

1) CRITICAL BENCH: Hi Scott. It's an honor to interview the World Record Holder in the 100% RAW Federation. Introduce yourself to Critical Bench!

Well, I am 22 years old and live in Lakeland Fl. I have been married for almost 2 years. I just graduated with my bachelors degree from the University of South Florida . I am 6 feet tall and weigh 310 pounds. I compete in both powerlifting and strongman. I also do strongman exhibitions at various churches.

2) CRITICAL BENCH: Wow, it seems like you have so much going for you at such a young age. You have a degree, marriage, and a squat world record at 22, and you're strongman exhibitions at churches is admirable! What are your best lifts and what federation(s) do you compete in?

My best equipped numbers are Squat - 1103, Bench - 633, Deadlift - 733, and Total - 2442.
My best Raw numbers are Squat - 826.5, Bench - 529, Deadlift - 760, and Total - 2101.
I compete in APF, 100% Raw, and NAS Strongman.

3) CRITICAL BENCH: You have the World Record in the squat in the 100% RAW Federation! Tell us about the squat world record that you hold!

I squatted 826.5 pounds at the 2006 World Championships in Vermont . It was a great feeling, but I really felt like I could have done better than I did. I am excited about the future and raising the bar.

4) CRITICAL BENCH: Give us your squat routine!

Well my routine is constantly changing, but some aspects are fairly constant. I do regular raw squats at least once a week. Never more than twice and if I do squat a second day it will not be as heavy or it might just be something like box squats. One of my recent squat routine looked something like this:

160 - 10, 250 - 5, 360 - 5, 450 - 5, 540 - 5, 630 - 5, 720 - 5, all of these initial sets were done without a belt. The remainder of the sets were done with a belt. 770 - 3, 810 -2. After my squats I will do a number of different exercises, such as pulling the sled and front squats. I try to keep the workout very intense and my workouts usually last about 2 hours.

To read more, click here

Scott Weech Squatting 805 at the 2006 100% Raw Nationals




note; opinions expressed in articles written by others and posted here on Maryland Powerlifting does not necessarily reflect those of Maryland Powerlifting.

The Maryland Powerlifting Report 2/7/08

IPF News:
Update- National Doping Report, click here.

Update- Overall Rankings, click here.

Update- Suspended Lifters and Officials, click here.

*Note-Yuriy Fedorenko of Russia tested positve in Out of Contest Testing (OCT). "The failure appears to violate the terms of the early termination of Russia's doping suspension meaning the country will be suspended for an additional year. An official announcement has not been made by the IPF."

USAPL News:
Update-Women's Nationals (roster & schedule)

From Gina;

Please note the 67.5kg/148lb class will now lift in the afternoon session on Saturday 2/16. Weigh-ins will be at 12:00pm with lifting starting at 2:00pm for the following lifters.
Rhonda Clark
Priscilla Ribic
Jane Larson-Welborn
Ruth Welding
Donna Marts
Paula Houston
Gina Stepleton
Deb Duffy-Smet
Gail Moore

note; opinions expressed in articles written by others and posted here on Maryland Powerlifting does not necessarily reflect those of Maryland Powerlifting.

The Maryland Powerlifting Report 2/4/08

A New Federation?
Powerlifting Watch has brought the news of yet another federation that has been started in 2008.

The West Virginia/Virginia Bench Press organization's mission statement is as follows:

WELCOME TO WEST VIRGINIA AND VIRGINIAS NEW BENCH PRESS ORGANIZATION. THIS ORGANIZATION IS FOR ALL THE LOCAL LIFTERS OF THE TWO VIRGINIAS TO COMPETE, AND WOULD LIKE TO ALSO INVOLVE EVERY ATHLETE IN EVERY SPORT TO HELP THEM ACHIEVE THEIR GOALS IN THAT SPORT. IF YOU HAVE THE ABILITY IN THAT SPORT YOU CAN ENHANCE IT WITH WEIGHT LIFTING. WE WILL BE KEEPING RECORDS, MEET RESULTS, UPCOMING MEETS AND PHOTOS ON THIS WEB SITE. WE WILL ALSO HAVE SANCTIONED, RAW, MENS, WOMENS, TEENAGE, MASTERS, AND TOUCH AND GO MEETS.

There is no membership fee. The federation's first meet is scheduled to be held in Beckley, WV on February 23.

Raw Unity Meet: Post Meet Write-up From Eric Talmant

January 31, 2008

Hello fellow lifters.

First of all, I want to say that the Raw Unity Meet was an overwhelming success and because of that I will personally see that it now becomes an annual event. I will remain the main person in charge just like I was this year in order to ensure that future Raw Unity Meets are conducted to the same standards that we have now all been exposed to.

It would be impossible for me to thank everyone that helped make this huge undertaking a success, so rather than acknowledge everyone publicly I will correspond with those individuals privately.

To read more and review official results, click here.

Stiff-Leg Deadlifts: by Marty Gallagher

Keith jogged my brain this past week by asking about tips the other day. I thought back and what percolated to the surface of my memory was the stiff-leg deadlift. Done as an assistance exercise for regular deadlifts, I was first introduced to them by the great Hugh Cassidy, the carefree Nietzsche of powerlifting. Hugh didnt cotton to too many exercises past squat, bench and deadlift, but the stiff-leg deadlift was one he insisted on. Religiously hed have us do two sets of stiffs after completing regular deadlifts. The technique was important. The bar stayed in contact with the leg the entire time, over the total length of the rep stroke. The hips were the hinge, the fulcrum, and this is where the real action took place. We all used a narrow-stance conventional deadlift style as per Hugh, with maybe six inches between the heelswe learned how to do the bow and arrow technique using a conventional pull stance.

To read more, click here.

Discipline and Regret: Article by Matt Gary, CSCS

In 1983, my sixth grade geography teacher was Spero Tshontikidis. In addition to teaching, Mr. Tshontikidis was a competitive powerlifter in the ADFPA. He brought powerlifting to our school and convinced the principal to allow him to start a powerlifting team. The first day he mentioned it to the class I thought powerlifting sounded cool and decided to give it a try. After all, what eleven-year-old boy doesn't want to grow up to be big and strong? Spero taught us how to squat on the first day of powerlifting practice. I had never touched a weight let alone squat. I remember my hips and hamstrings were so tight that I had to put my heels on a 2" x 4" in order to hit proper depth. I did three sets of ten reps with 95 pounds. On the way home I noticed my legs getting a little sore but I thought nothing of it. The next morning I woke up and tried to get out of bed. I took one step and fell flat on my face. My legs were so unbelievably sore that I thought I seriously injured myself. I had never experienced such excruciating muscle soreness. I convinced my mother to let me stay home that day. The following day I crawled back to school and told Mr. Tshontikidis that I didn't want to be on the powerlifting team and I would never squat again. He tried to change my mind. I didn't budge. Spero would later coach me on the junior varsity football team where I blossomed into the team MVP as a freshman. Meanwhile, he continued to encourage me to lift weights.

To read more, click here.

BMF To End Support of 100% RAW:

To: All
From: Shawn "Bud" Lyte
Re: Changes in support of powerlifting

After several months of debate and looking for other options, it's been decided that, as of March 31, 2008, BMF Sports will no longer provide direct support to 100% RAW Powerlifting Federation. This has not been an easy or hasty decision to make, but, in assessing almost three years of applied effort, it has become the most logical, practical and unavoidable solution. This is strictly a business move and not influenced by anything personal on either side. There was no single occurrence or situation that brought us to this decision and it has nothing to do with my personal relationship with Paul Bossi.

BMF Sports is not leaving powerlifting altogether, but channeling "powerlifting-centric" resources toward (1) directly supporting more lifters and (2) progression of Eric Talmant's Raw Unity Powerlifting Championships. Manny and I will continue to send sponsored lifters to 100% RAW meets and be present with them at National and World championships, but not provide support services at those events.

This doesn't not come down to merely profit and loss, but how effective BMF Sports can be in the sport of powerlifting as a whole. Getting behind any federation or sanction is not only limiting, but stifling, counterproductive and the antithesis of what we seek to accomplish for our company as well as the sport. There simply isn't sufficient support when dealing with or being dedicated to a single federation or sanction.

I personally see arrival at this decision to be beneficial for everyone involved with and affected by it. More lifters will receive more support, which will enable them to compete more, and in more federations, which helps the respective federations as well as the sport overall. It also negates any prospective or potential conflict of interests in sponsoring specific lifters and/or events, giving BMF Sports a freer hand to develop more opportunities within the sport.

With the resources we are able to liberate by making the aforementioned moves, we will look to sponsor several more lifters starting in the second quarter of this year.

If you have any comments or questions, please feel free to contact me directly.

Stay with it,
Shawn "Bud" Lyte
BMF Sports
"Where's the BMF in you?"
www.bmfsports.com
www.bmfnutrition.com
www.bmfenergy.com
312-498-4043

From APT:

Alan from APT Pro Gear,.... Updates for Jan 2008Lifting Gear and soooooo MUCH more.

Check out the Newsletter

1-FREE GEAR OFFER,.....AGAIN & 15% off
2-New Products added,....Nice!!!
3-STRANGULATOR Knee Wraps now in stock
4-STRANGULATOR Wrist/Knee Wraps IPF/USAPL approved
5-Updated list of Powerlifting Sanctions for APT Gear
6-APT moved to a new LARGER location
7-New E-Mail adddress to contact APT
8-NEW APT LOGO
9-WABDL 2008 Official Sponsor

APT Inc. Pro Weigyht Lifting Gear
Alan P. Thoms, CEO
USMC, CPL, 91-95
www.prowriststraps.com

note; opinions expressed in articles written by others and posted here on Maryland Powerlifting does not necessarily reflect those of Maryland Powerlifting.