Get the Message!!!!!!!

I am amazed!........AGAIN

The 101-Year-Old Marathon Man
8:54pm UK, Saturday April 12, 2008

Natasha Muktarsingh, Sky reporter

Buster Martin, Britain's oldest worker, is set to break another record by competing in this year's London Marathon at the age of 101.

Buster enjoys a quick drag

And it will be cigarettes and a pint of bitter rather than health drinks and energy bars driving the remarkable record-breaker on.

His aim is to complete the 26-mile route in about 14 hours, supported by colleagues from Pimlico Plumbers in South London where he works three days a week cleaning vans.

Buster is running for the Rhys Daniels Trust - a charity which supports families with seriously ill children.

He said: "I was asked to do it and told about the charity and I said I'd have a go. I didn't say I would do it, but I'd have a go."

Plumber and boxing coach Samm Mullins has been helping Buster prepare for the race for the last three months. His programme comprises running three times a week and sparring practice in the boxing ring twice weekly.

Last month, Buster completed a half marathon in five hours and 15 minutes.

Mullins says: "He is amazing for his age and he's enjoyed the training. In fact, the only problem is slowing him down."

However, there are some parts of his lifestyle Buster has not changed in preparation for the Marathon.

He has been a smoker since the age of seven and will not give up regular trips to the pub for a few pints of bitter.

Buster does not drink water, so his trainers have arranged several stops along the Marathon route where a pint will be available.

Mullins says: "He has to take on some fluids - and bitter is all he will drink."

Buster has always led an active lifestyle. He officially retired at the age of 97 but went back to work three months later.

He said: "I was getting bored. I'm lucky I have my health and I can try things like the marathon. But I never make any promises because I take each day as it comes."

Buster is not alone in wanting to push the boundaries in old age. Katsuske Yanagisawa became the oldest man to reach the summit of Everest at the age of 71 last year.

And in 2004, George Brunstad successfully swam the English Channel at 70 years old while John Glenn became the oldest man to go into space as a 77-year-old in 1998.


SKYNEWS

Happy Holidays!

All this is gone!

This "BULL"-Dog starts to bark!

Dave is improving not by kilos but by plates. 2009 WPC Worlds was no differant. I predict that this power house will squat over 1100, bench over 800 and deadlift....well that is open yet.

Good Job Dave...Thanks for being WPC!

Lee Gordon of the UK...

Lee helped set up and tear down and everything in the middle. His wife Paula, worked the meet 100%. His son lifted with his brothers and sister cheering him on. This is what the WPC is about. Great lifter, great family man, and great friend! We are lucking to have him in our organization!

Oh the Squat....he was deep enough...just lost control...

Fatigue life of joints...

Fatigue life is the length of time before something breaks down or starts to fail. This is a athlete's worst nightmare! Science is making advancements we all need to be aware of. The x-ray on the left is in good shape, not the one on the right!

http://www.comcast.net/video/1358466197/dara_torres_radical_surgery

You got to like Gerry McNamara!

He is a legendary powerlifter, perfect form, perfect mental attitude, perfect results!
This is one of Ireland's best and it was great to meet him and get to know him better! This picture shows him starting to go below parallel, as it should be!

This is what I hear!...No Thank You!

Dear President M.Sweeny

Hope all is great for you.Was very nice meet you at WPC Worlds.That was my first WPC meet after 26 years as IPF member.What can i say after my first WPC meet?I give up my place at Norwegian National Team in IPF,I give up club sponsor ship around 3500 US a year,I give up free hotel + money for going to European & Worlds in IPF,i give up free gear,i give up free trips to all meet i want to go to,i give up chance to train at many great Powerlifting gym (Own by clubs/IPF) i give up friendship since they now turn back to me,was it wurth it??They all belive i juse steroids now,even if i have been life time drug free,was it wurth join WPC??YES it was wurth it all,i finaly feel free,like the pepole in East Germany most have feel 20 years ago when wall fall down.The respect WPC heads & lifter show me,the great judges that was hard,but fear,The big friendship between pepole that lift,it are all just great.The WPC Worlds in UK was great & i love every minitt of it.
I realy hope the WPC will go on like this & keep up the good work.Thanks for let us join WPC & looking forward to next time we meet

Have a great Chrismas

Best wishes from

Petter Elvekrok (Team Norway)

We are an organization of passion, we...

...witness, record, and report individuals that share this passion. In the history of powerlifting there has been attempts to include a handicap division in the WPC/AWPC. The timing was not right, it may be now! There is a "special division" in the Olympics called the para-Olympics, in the USA we have the Special Olympics. There are more and more organized competitions of this type in the USA.
After a discussion brought up by Yuriy Ustinov of the Eurasia Group and the excellent exhibition of a "specially challenge" Russian bench press athlete at the recent 2009 Worlds, I am suggesting that this specially-challenge division be added to the national and international record structure for one year. This only for the bench press where the athlete has not the power in his leg structure to walk up to the bench without any assistance example cane, crutches, one or no legs,etc. Note this would NOT include a blind person. Again, at the beginning each case must be reviewed and reported by a WPC Referee or Country Head.
I am going to investigate the interest and give a full report at 2010 WPC Worlds in Finland...send all your comments and concerns, but start!!!!!

The Egyptian sands blow again...

...every time there is a major wind storm in Egypt, treasures are revealed! At 2009 Worlds Team Egypt captured the Bronze, behind Russia at Silver, and The GB with the Gold. This Internationally inexperience team improves with every International Championship. In America we talk about Egypt as a land and people of past history. I feel they are also a land and people of great future and powerlifting destiny.

My Take....these "boys" are under 22 years old!

Richard Ligier-French WPC World Bench Champion!

I like everything about him. I have seen over the years Richard work thru injury, bad meet stratagy, and "it just wasn't there!" At the 2009 WPC World Championships, Richard took on the best in the World and took the GOLD! He may be the first Frenchman to do this! Yes, that is close to 900 pounds!

Russian Bench Training Secert!

This is Vladimir Maksimov, Eurasia Group bench press machine. I have seen them all. He is a top man! Note the body ratio's amd thickness, perfect for the bench....and he is CRAZY!

My take...I would like to see Mendelson, Ligier, and Maksimov, have it out at the FITEXPO in LA!

Nation-Level vs International-Level Referee's

To me the National level is like black and white TV. They get the picture, do an excellent job, but the International Referee is more experienced, more defined, more detailed thru experience or just like HD......

Judging is...

...a thankless job! A WPC referee is technical, honest, fair, passionate, and compassionate. At WPC Worlds the judging staff did a excellent job. Any lifter could approach and discuss any concern with any of the officials at any time.

When you don't think...

...it can bet better....it does!...This is one of the media directions the WPC is taking....Yuriy Ustinov and his staff engineered and completed this project......that was one take!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ir1q-4jC-BA

Haley-Davidson knows horsepower!

In their motorcycles and in powerlifters. They had a display up and a booth. No these aren't the prizes for the best lifter.

USN was also...

...there! Support, support,support! That is American Master lifter Dick Zenzen in the chair!

Met-RX...

...stepped up in sponsorship with product...banners and a booth with staff...and money to support this event. You may see others in the magazines but Met-RX is in the gym bag!...Buy something!

That's Wayne Pullum Director of International Referee's on the right and David Mannering, Vice President of the British Powerlifting Congress!

METAL does it again!..Major sponsor-ship!

Once again METAL has stepped up and supported the WPC, powerlifters, and powerlifting with real sponsorship. They produce the absolute highest quality of powerlifting equipment and "gear" for strength training. Their equipment is tested on Championship platforms all over the World!

My Take...Lifters needed to support those that support them and their organization. We are in extreme competition with others. Others were asked to be part of the 2009 WPC Worlds, METAL came in big! METAL has taken responsibility for your success. I know that all gear doesn't work for everyone, but something in their catalog does.

Bottom Line...If you aren't loyal to those that support you the lifter and your organization of choice.........your a JERK!

The man behind the music...

There were BOSE speakers in the convention center. "BIG D" was at the the music console. This part of the meet presentation was the best I had ever heard and seen and that includes any WPO meet and those were damn good! He had a "hard drive" of songs and could and did down load anything. The music levels were will engineered, keeping the pace of the meet and lifting totally enjoyable.

This is the best, BIG D played around with "audio spots" with sponsors being mentioned and recognized...effective, very effective. I would like to see/hear more of this!

The warm up room...

..plenty of space and equipment. Chiropractors and medical staff were on hand if needed.

2009 WPC Championships in England..

This will be the start of my report. There were 24 plus countries. The very strongest powerlifters in he World. As always it is my job to witness, record, and report! The venue was spectacular. The BIC is a professional convention center. There wasn't a bad seat in the house. The warm up room was massive and the main lifting area look like this......

Good Advice...

...we may need to develop a "constitution"...I was elected!

The NEW 2009 WPC Elected President...

Leadership is a scared trust! The decision to lead is a decision to be responsible for the growth and development of your fellow strength athletes. To inspire and develop ways which will cause there lives to be better....there are no shortcuts!

That is General Osman of Egypt, leader of the highly successful Egyptian WPC Powerlifting team that was awarded the Bronze Team Medal out of 24 plus countries.

This post is titled the New elected President because we are not the same organization we were two months ago. We are continuously pursuing extreme heavy weight!

Thank You,

Mike Sweeney-WPC

2011 European WPC Championships...

..has been awarded to Dan Dvorak in the capital city of Prague in Czech Republic. At the AGM meeting Dan gave a compelling, detailed presentation.

Good Job!....Dan and staff

The sequel is being developed....

...2010 WPC World Championships will be held in Finland...more to come!

...and the winner is...

2009 WPC World Championships in England. The lifters were tremendous. The country Presidents were tremendous. The effort of the meet organizers and staff were tremendous.

Job well done!

Gone to England...

....be back in the States on 11/24/2009

December IRONMAN Magazine page 194..

You got to like this....

Last minute Worlds Information!

Can you please put a post on your blog to this effect - before you attend.

AGM will be on Friday at the venue after the lifting has finished - a room has been set aside.
Please direct any points for the AGM to either myself or Amy Jackson.

Wrist Bands. - All lifters, once weighed in - will be given a wrist band (this entitles them to enter the venue at any time. If they do not have their wrist band on - they will have to pay the daily entry rate - it is therefore, in their interest to keep the wrist bands on) so please make all lifters aware about wrist bands. We want all lifters to please accept this - and for it not to become an issue. This is a very expensive operation to conduct and we must therefore, cover all avenues in order to cover all costs, particularly when it comes to people trying to gain access for free.

Whilst there will be catering at the venue, we have two excellent restaurants that we are working with that will be the official Restaurants of the Championships. Details will be given to all lifters - but if anyone is unsure - please ask Vanessa or myself.

Please go to the website should you require further information, you will also see the Official Meet T-Shirt which will be available at a cost of £18.00, but if pre-ordered with Vanessa the price will be £15.00. - There is only a limited amount of shirts available so it will be first come first serve.

METAL.....

Metal is a major sponsor of the 2009 WPC Championships. As a lifter it is critical to support those that support you! Ano and Minna have develop a powerlifting equipment company that serve powerlifting with the highest quality, absolutely best technology, and they are continously improving their products.
At Worlds, look around and see if your equipment company supports your organization. Stop and meet ANO and MINNA, talk about your needs, buy something!!!!

http://www.gometal.com/

ANO is third from the left or right...These are BIG boys!!!!!

The actual venue...

not a bad seat in the house...

The Rules...

You can find the most current rules on the WPC home page.

http://worldpowerliftingcongress.com/

It's time!...Remember who you are!

2009 WPC Worlds in England is one week from today. This will be the most explosive and dynamic World Championship to date. Those coming...thank you...those who aren't...you made a mistake.

Thank You Brian and Vanessa....as stated before,"I am Mike Sweeney President of the World Powerlifting Congress, the strongest powerlifting organization is the history of man."

Gordon Santee-Hero

We all look for hero's. Gordon is one of mine. Powerlifter with multiple World Titles and records,respected in any federation as a official, bodybuilder, extremely well educated, family man, and FUN!

http://www.mymomnpop.com/elderlifeseries/episodes/63-year-old-powerlifter/

The Next WPC Generation!!!

These are pictures of Latvian deadlifting machine Konstantin Konstantinovs(glasses), who came in hurt and still pulled over 900 pounds and weights less than 300 pounds at 30 years old.

Standing next to him is Laslo Mezharos from Hungary, in the open-bench 125 kilo class drove up 660 pounds and had more in the tank!

2009-ENGLAND

The 2009 WPC World Championship is being held in England. Wayne Pullum, the organizations' Director of Judging and Standards and I have attended National championships here several times. We look at the ease lifters can travel to. We look at the quality of the venue, media exposure, equipment, hotels, stores, staff for the meet,etc. England is the prefect choice!

This year there will be coverage from SKYSPORTS-TV and the BBC, coverage for this Championship will be GLOBAL! Wayne is ready, I am ready, camera's are ready, England is ready!

WPC RAW POWERLIFTING "MAN"!

A World WPC/AWPC brings out the very, very best. To be part of and support this level of championship is a great honor for the sport, organization and of course lifter! We thank you!

This is Ukraine 100 kilo powerlifting machine, Andrey Kisel, he was awarded a silver medal in Rostov.

Two weeks from today starts the 2009 WPC Worlds Championship in England, tomorrow I will start the count down.

The rules...

This is a reminder. The most current rules of the WPC can be found on the home web site of the World Powerlifting Congress. There will be rules meeting before every session and ASK any official any question.Some points, as examples, would be...

• Squat-the legs must be straight before and after the lift.


• Bench-proper placement of the feet or hands.


• What are the verbal and hand commands.


• Deadlift-What is a "hitch"?


• When can you declare and change your attempts?

The point is BE PREPARED and ASK BEFORE the concern becomes a problem. You can ask me anything!... irnmike@aol.com

It's all about the PEOPLE!

This is Sergy Druzhkov, The President of the WPC/AWPC/WPO in the Primorye Territory. He does it all! He treats every lifter as they are the most important person there and they are. We are fortunate to have Sergy as part of our organization!

Taking full advantage...

..of the arch in the bench. The high arch reduces the distance the bar needs to be pushed. The man and women in these pictures registored very high numbers.

The Fans In Rostov, Russia...

They love WPC powerlifting there. The place was packed!

Fans, fans, fans..

It the past couple of months, I have watched the World Championships in both Track and Field and Gymnastics. Even with the great Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt out running every living thing. The stadium was less than 30% full. We see this in powerlifting all the time. Normally just family and very close friends come to watch.
The LA FitExpo is packed with fans. The ARNOLD Sport Festival is mobbed with fans! The Convention for the Chicago Marathon was packed with fans. What do these all have in common? The vendors all give away something free, small samples, tee-shirts, etc.

Siver Medal in Beijing Olympics..

In the past 4 months I have met all three Olympic medal holders gold, silver, and bronze. This is Olympic lifter Dmitriy Klokov of Russia and he is in training for the next Olympics and more "Bing"...I asked the question, Is there any substitute for hard work?...NO!

Big Weights...

...bring in Big crowds and fans. There is nothing better than to give your best effort in front of thousands of fans right in front of you, cheering you on!

The red ones are....

25 kilos or 55 pounds...so that at least 550 pounds and the 45 pound bar and some smaller weights or 600 pounds plus. Nice RAW bench!


more Rostov reports...

Hotel and pick up information for 2009 Worlds in England...

www.worldpowerliftingchampionships.com

Super Master Russian WPC powerlifter...Yuriy Chepets

Geared or RAW....Yuriy is the MAN!...ex-INTERPOL officer...he sets World Record after World Record...excellent lifter...excellent person!