First up…the boys
This past weekend was a historic moment for Alliance Barbell Club. We had our powerlifters compete in there first sanctioned competition.
The competition was held in Manchester at the fantastic SILA/Strength Therapy gym under the A/BPU banner. We had Connor Wood (110kg) and Bobby Green (125kg) compete on saturday 11th march 2023.
The boys both weighed in and got to warming up on squats. The gym was packed with like minded people all trying to secure somewhere to warm up. We set up shop with a few other lifters in the same flight. Connor did his last warm up of 145kg and Bobby did his on 160kg, now we are ready to go.
First up squats probably the most daunting moment of a powerlifting competition, you want to secure this first lift knowing you are in the game and ready to push it on the next 2 attempts. Connor steps to the platform sinks a lovely deep and powerful 155kg opening attempt- 3 white lights. Next up Bobby with his opener of 170kg he gets his start command, hits depth comes to stand up with it and he is a little slow and shakey but 3 white lights and a good lift.
We now move onto second attempts.Connor once again up first with a 165kg squat he steps up to the platform looking confident and hits a new PB with relative ease. Bobby steps up we played it safe with a small 5kg increase as the nerves had set in, he steps to the platform hits 175kg a smooth lift but knowing how hard he had trained i was hoping for it to be abit faster. After a small discusion with both lifters we had decided what we wanted for 3rd attempts.
3rd attempt time, Connor hits depth with 175kg a weight he has never had on his back, starts to come up with it hits a sticking point and fights through it for what looked like an eternity and stands up. 3 white lights thats Connor 3/3 for squats with a huge PB great start! Bobby is ready to take on 182.5kg a small PB he steps to the platform looking confident gets his start command hits depth and stands up with it super explosive like he could of done a set of 3 with it. 2 to 1 a good lift. Both lads with a great start securing all 3 of there squat attempts.
Now onto the Benchpress after both lads had took the last warm ups we step to the platform. Once again Connor is first gets his press command with 100kg and throws it up easy as an opener should be. Next up Bobby with 125kg easy. We are now building confidence for second attempts. Connor takes on 110kg, his 3rd attempt he took in his last mock competition. He gets his press command and locks it out well. Bobby takes 135kg and drives it up a smooth lift. 3rd attempts now Connor takes on 120kg a big PB and has handled in the gym on different variations but yet to press to comp standard, he lowers the bar gets his press command exploded a couple of inch off his chest but just not enough to get passed his sticking point just a touch to much on this day. Next up Bobby takes on 140kg a milestone lift that im sure everyone who steps in a gym wants to do one day, he gets his press command drives off his chest gets to 3/4 of the way and gave a good fight but just couldnt quite lock it out- no lift.
Deadlifts next this is where competitions can be shook up big time someone who is in last can pull a big deadlift from no where and take the lead. Both lads are looking good warming up we are set to finish the day on a high aiming for PB totals. Connor and Bobby both take 200kg to open a routine weight- both 3 white lights. Connor takes 215kg for his second attempt which will secure him a 500kg total, he steps to the platform kicks his feet in and pulls the weight fast and strong- good lift. Bobby next a good deadlifter takes on 220kg and takes it easy. last lifts of the day for the boys Connor does battle with 225kg and secures it with room to spare! a 510kg total 47.5kg on his previous best in a mock competition. Bobby takes on 232.5kg it flies off the ground with speed but didnt sit his hips low enough and he was too far over the bar, he knew he couldnt lock it out from that position without hitching so put it down. Unfortunatley just missing out on a PB total.
The day is done Alliance Barbell Club now has 2 official competitive powerlifters. Both lifters did great and learnt alot, the sport of powerlifting is a sport of consistency. keep showing up keep chipping away and eventually you find yourself at the top.
Well done Boys
Ewan Cunliffe
owner and coach- Alliance Barbell Club/S+C
