WORLD BENCH PRESS CHAMPIONSHIPS
RESULTS

BEST LIFTERS:
FULL POWER | BENCH PRESS
CHAMPION OF CHAMPIONS

PHOTOS:
Saturday- Squat • Bench • Dead
Sunday- Squat • Bench • Dead

2010 IPA STRENGTH SPECTACULAR
IPA World Powerlifting Championships
NAS Cradle of Iron Strongman Show
By: Ellen Chaillet

York Barbell Company welcomed crowds of strength enthusiasts to its hallowed halls June 26-27 for the 2^nd Annual IPA Strength Spectacular.  The growing event, presented and directed by Mark and Ellen Chaillet of Chaillet’s Private Fitness, featured the IPA World Powerlifting and Bench Press Championships and the North American Strongman’s national qualifier “Cradle of Iron” Strongman Show.

 An exciting weekend of lifting was in store for spectators and athletes alike. Clearly the big attraction to the IPA World Powerlifting Championships was big Donnie Thompson who was determined to shatter his standing 2905 lb. All-Time total record. Vlad Alzahov, powerlifting’s SHW All-Time 1250 lb. squat record holder, made his first lifting appearance in two years since his tragic knee injury. Rounding out the list of must-see big boys was Dan Kovacs who lifted Raw and proved that equipment doesn’t make the man. We welcomed an impressive group of men and women lifters from Ukraine and Russia.

 This year the meet’s best lifters competed for a new Grand Champion Award won by the overall best Professional Man, Raw Professional Man and Professional Woman. Congratulations to the Grand Champion award winners whose hard work and dedication won them custom designed rings. Our Grand Champions were Kevin Baughman (Pro Men), Dan Kovacs (Raw Pro Men), and Beth Poplin (Pro Woman).

 Many braved the intense heat to compete in the NAS “Cradle of Iron” Strongman Show on Sunday.  This national qualifying event attracted some talented strongman athletes to York Barbell’s front yard for a great event. The events in store for the athletes clearly tested their strength, endurance, and ability to sweat the heat. Events included a press medley, a frame carry, 18” dead lift, and stones.

 Without the athletes and our sponsors, these events just simply wouldn’t be the same. This year’s sponsors’ generosity went above and beyond. Thank you to York Barbell Company for their superb facility, C.A. Weber Insurance Agency for its donation toward the Grand Champion Award rings, Iron Wolfe Barbell who provided the specialty squat, bench and dead lift bars used in competition, and Crazy Tomato for super food and everybody’s continued support of the IPA.

 . The two-day event started on Saturday with the IPA World Powerlifting and Bench Press Championships including teens, women and all men’s weight classes through 198 lbs. 

WOMEN

Beth Poplin stole the Pro Women’s show winning the Best Lifter Award and the Grand Champion Award for some fine lifting. Beth lifted in both the Open and Master (40-44) divisions. At a bodyweight of 129 lbs., she squatted 345 lbs., benched 245 lbs., and pulled 350 lbs. totaling over 7 times her body weight. The women’s teen division was exceptional to say the least. Anna McCloskey never fails to impress. Anna dropped the gear this time and lifted Raw.  Lifting in the 181 lb. class her 300 lb. squat, 180 lb. bench and 405 lb. total didn’t break any records this time, but did earn her the best lifter award in the Amateur Women’s Teen division for both the full powerlifting and bench only divisions. At 114 lbs. bodyweight and 16 years, Sarah Welcheck smashed the existing squat record with 250 lbs.  She gave 275 lbs. a hearty try, but no luck this time. While only 16-years-old, Sarah is a veteran having lifted with the IPA in nearly every Nationals and Worlds since she was 13-years-old.

TEENS

Scott Hanna posted some great numbers earning him the Amateur Teen Best Lifter Award. Lifting in the 198 lb. class Scott’s hard work in the gym definitely paid off.  Nearly bombing in the squat, Scott pulled out a huge 605 lb. third attempt after missing 570 lbs. twice. Scott finished with a 320 lb. bench, rounding out his day with a 500 lb. pull. The balance of the Teen division lifted Raw. Matthew Boone set some Raw IPA records in the 132 lb. class with a 165 lb. squat and a 125 lb. bench. Great job! Competition was close in the 165 lb. Raw Teen class with Tyler Betz gaining a 25 lb. edge over Collin Koser to win the 165 lb. Raw Teen (14-15) class with a 735 lb. total.  By watching Elijah Ruth’s continued improvement it is apparent that Elijah is well coached by his dad Greg.  At 17 years, Elijah lifted in the Raw Teen 165 lb. class earning white lights for eight of nine attempts. Good day, great meet Elijah!

 MEN’S LIGHTWEIGHT

John Petruzzi, Junior 181 lb. class, won the Amateur Men’s Lightweight Best Lifter Award the hard way . . . Raw!  John bested his competition with a 400 lb. squat, 350 lb. bench, and an IPA record 550 lb. dead. John missed his second bench attempt with 350 lbs. and came back strong on his third attempt.  Another super Raw lifter, Dan Petrillo, took home the Professional Men’s Lightweight Best Lifter Award breaking IPA records along the way. Dan’s great performance rewrote the record books with a 560 lb. squat and a 620 lb. pull, and a 1550 lb. total.

 Our Ukraine friend, Vadym Kotsaga made the journey for the third year to compete in the Raw Amateur and Professional Men’s Police divisions.Vadym didn’t make any of his squats, but continued on in the Ironman Division breaking two IPA records in the 181 lb. class benching 290 lbs. and pulling 460 lbs. Ricardo Ingravera joined us just to break the IPA dead lift record in the 198 lb. Raw Amateur Men’s Master (45-49) division. Ricardo opened with a master record of 495 lbs. finishing with a 570 lb. record third attempt. A fourth attempt of 580 lbs. just wasn’t there for Ricardo.

 Philip Simon, Fred Glass and Patrick Mullaney owned the lightweight master division.  The Amateur Men’s Master Division Best Lifter Award went to Philip Simon who at 71 years and 163 lbs. broke four IPA records with a 275 lb. squat, 205 lb. bench, 325 lb. pull, rounding out a total of 805 lbs. At all of 148 lbs. and 73 years, Fred Glass took home yet another Best Lifter Award for the Pro Men’s Master division.  While Fred didn’t break any of his existing IPA records, he still had a great day squatting 380 lbs., pulling 350 lbs.  Fred’s injured shoulder kept him from benching more than his token attempt of 100 lbs.   While Patrick Mullaney didn’t take home a Best Lifter Award, his lifting was stellar. At 169 lbs. and 65 years, Patrick smashed three IPA records benching 290 lbs., dead lifting 330 lbs., totaling 860 lbs. 

MEN’S HEAVYWEIGHT

While everybody understands and respects weight lifted pound-for-pound of bodyweight, there’s nothing like watching the big weights move under the power of three of powerlifting’s most exceptional athletes; Donnie Thompson, Dan Kovacs and Vlad Alhazov. Donnie traveled from South Carolina to York Barbell Company determined to break his hard sought after goal of breaking his All-Time Total Record of 2905 lbs. with a mind bending 3000 lb. total. Donnie says he had a great training cycle, and was in good shape to tackle the lofty goal. The mountain of a man weighed-in at 374 lbs. 

Donnie Thompson came with a goal, to break his All-Time total record in the SHW class with a 3000 lb. total. He just missed another All-Time record with his 1255 lb. squat attempt.

Donnie opened with a powerful 1,160 lb. squat. The attempt was solidly strong, but earned him red lights for depth. Apparently as planned, Donnie jumped his second attempt to 1225 lbs. He had a little difficulty setting up with the weight having to reset three times before taking 1225 down for another strong attempt, but was called for depth again.  To break Vlad Alhazov's All-Time Squat Record of 1250, Donnie called for 1255 lbs. on his third attempt. After supporting 1,100 plus pounds on his back 5 times, Donnie amazingly took the 1255 lbs. down with authority, completing the attempt, but was called for depth. Judges say his 1255 lb. squat was closest to legal depth. 
 
Donnie is a fine individual and an exceptional diplomat for the sport. We hope his threats to retire from powerlifting will be reconsidered.

Kevin Baughman was one of only three exceptional lifters to receive the custom Grand Champion ring awarded to the overall best lifter in the Pro Men’s Open Division.

At 214 lbs., Will Holder’s 660 lb. squat, 430 lb. bench and IPA Record 680 lb. dead was enough to earn him 1^st place in the 220 lb. Men’s Submaster Division and Best Amateur Heavyweight lifter. At just 21 years and 239 lbs., Kevin Baughman was honored for his superb lifting with the Grand Champion Award for the Professional Men’s Division.  Kevin has made such exceptional strength gains squatting 760 lbs., benching a whopping 610 lbs., pulling 505 lbs. for an 1875 lb. total. 

 Lifting legend James Cash made the trek from Ohio to break the IPA dead lift record in the Pro Men’s Master (60-64) division.  Jim finished his squat with super 410 lbs., benched 380 lbs., and opened with a 600 lb. pull determined to beat the existing 665 lb. IPA record. Jim took 675 lbs. on his second and third attempts, but he just didn’t have enough steam left to finish the pull. Great lifting, Jim! Hope to see you break that record at the Nationals in November!

At only 19-years-old and 167 lbs. Darilyn Doddy won the Women’s Teen Best Lifter Award with a tremendous 380 lb. bench press.

In the Women’s Bench Only division, Darilyn Doddy won the Amateur Women’s Teen Best Lifter Award in the Bench Only division with a huge 380 lb. bench press. The 163 lb.19-year-old opened with an IPA record and never stopped.  She took 345 lbs. on her first attempt, followed by 365 lbs. on her second attempt, missing a big 380 lbs. on her third. She came back with a tremendous show of fortitude on her fourth attempt earning white lights and a new 380 lb. IPA bench record. We’ve been watching Janet Faraone since she was first breaking Amateur records in the 105 lb. class with a 200 lb. bench in 2002. Janet continues to impress with a big 335 lb. bench at a bodyweight of just 127.5 lbs. We were happy to welcome Anna Kurkurina back to York Barbell. Anna made the trip from Ukraine to post two new Raw Pro Women’s IPA records in the Open and Women’s Master (40-44) with a 240 lb. bench press.

Tim Hensley benched a huge IPA Record of 685 lbs. at 191 lbs. bodyweight becoming the best lifter in the Amateur Men’s Open Division. Tim nearly managed 715 lbs. on his third and fourth attempts.

Amateur 198 lb. Tim Hensley wowed the crowd with a monster 685 lb. IPA Record bench press. Tim opened unsuccessfully with 685 lbs. He took 685 lbs. again on his second attempt and was happy to see white lights and a new place in the IPA record books. Tim tried unsuccessfully to blast up 715 lbs. for his third and fourth attempts. Chuck Mulligan broke an IPA record in the Raw Amateur Master (65-69) division with a 300 lb. bench press. Chuck tried a fourth attempt of 310 lbs., but just didn’t have the power to finish.

Always an exciting bencher, Vincent Dizenzo benched 730 lbs. at 242 lbs. body weight breaking the IPA record.

Vincent Dizenzo always has a tremendous bench press up his sleeve. At 242 lbs., Vince opened with a Master IPA record 730 lb. bench in the Pro division. Vince took 750 lbs. out for a valiant try three times to break his newly set record, but the power just wasn’t there. Vince’s 730 lb. bench earned him a first place and the Professional Men’s Open Best Lifter Award. Bill Lobin’s superb performance smashed IPA records with every attempt.  Bill opened with a record 560 lbs., missed his second with 600 lbs., and came back strong on his third attempt earning white lights, and a new record.  Bill took 620 lbs. for a fourth attempt, but was unsuccessful. Bill won his division and Best Lifter in the Professional Men’s Master Division.

 Vincent Cook bumped up a weight class to 275 lbs. and benched a monster 700 lbs. breaking the IPA record in the Professional Men’s Master 40-44 division. Vinny’s third attempt with 760 lbs. was met with red lights. Brian Crowe just missed breaking his own IPA Elite Amateur record in the 165 lb. class benching 500 lbs. Brian came close with a fourth attempt of 520 lbs. Our Russian friends, Alexander Podshibyakin and Andrey Paley were as impressive to see as they were to watch.  Alexander is a mountain of a man weighing in at 351 lbs. of solid muscle. Unfortunately, Alexander only got his opening bench of 605 lbs. before missing his second two attempts at 630 lbs. Andrey Paley stole the show with a 705 lb. bench at 237 lbs. body weight. Andrey took 750 lbs. and 755 lbs. on his second and third attempts, with no luck. At only 219 lbs., Jeff Johnston came close to breaking the existing IPA Pro Men’s Open record with a huge 700 lb. bench.  Jeff missed 715 lbs. on his third attempt.

Clint Koser dropped the powerlifting gear and opted for a strongman challenge.  In his first strongman show, Clint won the overall 220 lb. class winning the 18” deadlift for reps., the keg carry, frame carry, and stone carry.