Friday, December 15, 2023

2024 RAW Powerlifting Federation North Carolina State and National Championships

 


National Championships
A New Year and a New Age Group for me!!
But first...






North Carolina State Championships!!











1st 2 weeks of Training in December '23




Last 2 weeks of 2023!!




1st 2 weeks of 2024





Mid Jan through January 28th 2024






State Championships were moved to be part of the American Challenge in May at Currituck HS to be part of the competition to determine the National Champion in each division.  The Fitness Warehouse Competition was a great way to not wait so long to compete that was not too far away.  I was fortunate to be able to stay at my wife's parents' home in Elizabeth City the night before so I could weigh in and eat etc.



New State Record!!


Failed attempt at beating the State Record





Decided I needed to be able to prepare more after setting the state record for the Strict Curl.  There are many strong cats out there who are able to beat my curl once they enter my new 55-59 age group so I want to be at least competitive.  I didn't want to spend $1200 for an official strict curl set up plus I really didn't have room for one.  I decided to look for an old bench or something that I could use the bench pad part.  I found this sit up bench for just $29!



March 3rd Update


Time is slipping by quickly.  It seems like May is a long way ahead but it's not really when trying to train properly while also keeping my weight down.  I'm ranging from 153-156 but of course I need to be 148.8 for competition.  So far I've lifted 659,185.8 pounds and I've ran 35.58 miles.  I've had some good lifts but oddly just those few pounds dropped to 148 ish really makes a difference.  I'm going to try to keep weight closer to competition  weight and see what happens.  There are a few other competitions before the May one but soccer matches will be on those weekends.  As a parent, watching my kids play is everything.  These days become more and more limited and I want to see them do their thing as much as possible.




March 9th Update

I can feel myself getting stronger.  I just have to be patient and consistent.







A mix of training the first part of March 2024
with my fellow gym rats



I really like using chains for variable resistance.  It is my hope that they will help me break some plateaus with my bench press.



March 19th 2024


At about 155 I can do a pretty clean 108kg (237.6lb) bench and an okay 110 (242) along with an ugly would not count 250 but when I drop my weight to 148 I struggle.  Trying to be patient.


April 2nd Update







I was really excited about this lift until I saw the scale... bleh... I was around 155 doing this but I need to be down to 148.8!!!  Regardless, this was a new PR Pause I think.... I think my previous was just 250 so this was more at 115kd(253.5).





4/16/24


Just playing around with some motivation clips as I prepare... I really need to cut weight...  So crazy, I've just been hungrier lately and having all these going away parties for people resigning at work is not helping!!  I was about 158 in these clips... ugh!  That's 10 over!



April 28th


May 2nd

Great day celebrating 30 years doing OT at ECU Health and then 2 New PR's in the MMG!




Tuesday, November 28, 2023

Tuesday, November 21, 2023

2023 RAW Powerlifting Federation World Championships in VA Beach USA

 

The Journey to Worlds...


Sporting my RAW American Challenge Shirt with my lady and a beer in Curacao!



My Background Profile




Henderson Open

Last Competition before Worlds...



Just an example workout...


Just a fun meme



Finishing my 33 Marathon or greater distance... this was my 21st Ultra Marathon!

Unfortunately, it's difficult to be a good runner and a good powerlifter at the same time so I have accepted the fact that I will be moderate with both.





Another training session to prepare for Worlds...



My weight before the drive to the official weigh in




The Arrival!!



It's getting REAL!!


Registration


Made weight!!!









Rickey's turn!



YIKES!  They go all out!  I'm looking official now!



Gotta get my World Championship Shirt complete with all the competitor names on the back!



Hanging out with Eric and Rickey after Wednesday Weigh Ins


Hanging out with Multi World Title Holder for 123lb class "Buck"


Trying to be cool like the RAW President Paul Bossi!!


I simply can't hang with this Multi-Record Holder Gary Teeter!!

This man can curl his weight!!!


So many cool people here at Worlds!




Motivation!!!




The View From Our Room



These Awards have got to be some of the most amazing ones I've ever seen!  A GOLD Curl Bar!!! WOW!!!!





My Strict Curl Flight




TC, RAW VP awards me my World Title for the Strict Curls in the 67.5kg 50-54 class!





TC the Vice President of RAW and another amazing powerlifter has his own business with supplements and personal training.  I love these Protein Brownies I bought from him!!





Winning the 2023 RAW Powerlifting Federation Worlds Championship Strict Curl 50-54 Men's 67.5kg division...




Rickey Strict Curls


New friend, Eric and I celebrating some Strict Curl Bling!!



My Bench Press Flight




Winning the 2023 RAW Powerlifting Federation Worlds Championship Bench Press 50-54 Men's 67.5kg division...



George James



Special thanks to these 2 men who helped psych me up for my final lift!



Matt, like all these men, is a beast.  I'll be in his age group after December!  55-59 here I come!




Some of the 67.5 / 148.8 class





Lots of Motivation and Inspiration from all these men!!!




2023 Hall of Fame Banquet




Rickey earns 3rd in Pro-Curl Event

This was after the Hall of Fame Banquet





Tribute to my friend Rickey



Randoms from Thursday's Strict Curl Competition

Strict Curl Results


Friday Weigh Ins




Randoms from Friday's Kids' and Women's Competition

Youth and Women's Results




Randoms from Saturday's Light Weight Men's Competition


Light Weight Men's World Competition Results

Link to World's Light Weight Men's Competition


Rickey and Harry await their turn for the Bench Press Attempts

Randoms from Sunday's Heavy Weight Men's Competition

Link to Results


Link to All Time Men Ranks


Other Meets and Results

Link to Meets and Results




FACTS!!!









Reno was a cool dude who took over the background music when the DJ was not available.  He was not only a strong powerlifter but I loved the way he played the music in the background to pump us up!!






Lots of Cool Shirts




My long awaited meal after Wednesday Weigh Ins the day before the Strict Curl Event









After making weight AGAIN but this time on Friday for Saturday's Bench Press Competition, this place called the "Roosters Cafe'" was outstanding!!  I love a basic old school breakfast.  Toast and Jelly, Corn Beef and Hash, 3 fried eggs over medium and grits!  Let's go!!!







Important Information
After each weigh in you have to give your first attempt for that event.  Of course, at this level, it's in kilograms not pounds.



















Well, we were all disappointed on the bait and switch when Lee Haney didn't show up for the Hall of Fame Banquet but I did get a chance to hang out with this BEAST!!!

Oh you don't know him?
Check out this video link!!











My wife's cousin Eric (another crazy 500lb bencher) introduced me to this NC Hall of Famer Harry Orr.  We've been friends ever since!








This is Harry's brother Casey Orr! Yep! As you may have guessed, he's a NC Hall of Famer too!  Lots of good genes in that family!