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3rd IPF/NAPF North American Regional Powerlifitng Championships
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The 2005 IPF/NAPF Regional Powerlifting Championships was held in the James L. Knight Performing Arts Center in Miami, Florida. The Knight Center has the ability to seat some 5,000+ spectators and is used quite often for most national/international level musical performances that come to Miami. The large elevated stage used for these musical performances provided the spectators with an excellent view of the lifting while it took place. One of the fine features of this facility is that it was connected directly to the host contest hotel - The Hyatt Regency, located in downtown Miami, just fifteen [15] minutes by either shuttle or taxi from the Miami International Airport. This proved to be quite convenient for all of the athletes, coaches, officials, administrators, friends and family members flying in to attend and see the championship. In addition, Miami serves as an optimal location to host such a championship with direct flights to every capital city in North, Central and South America to include all of the Caribbean Islands. Important and key, this venue shall serve as the location for the upcoming 35th Annual IPF Men's World Powerlifting Championships & IPF Pan-American Powerlifitng Championships that will take place on November 8-18, 2005.
This year's event, was again, a tremendous success, with a total of 75 lifters attending from over eleven [11] countries (USA, Canada, Puerto Rico, Bahamas, Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Dominican Republic, Cayman Islands, Colombia and Trinidad & Tobago). This championship in just a short two [2] years has become one of the premier international championships in the world. It is predicted from discussions with delegates from affiliate countries of the NAPF that next year's event will draw fifteen [15] countries and well over one-hundred [100] athletes. So, we are on pace to provide a viable and dynamic regional organization that promotes successful [drug-tested] international lifting within the hemisphere of North and Central American and the Caribbean Islands. NAPF Congress - June 17, 2005 On Friday, June 17, 1005, the 2nd NAPF Congress was held with many new and interesting developments taking place. Major highlights of the congress included the inclusion of a Junior [14-23] division at the 4th NAPF Championships that will take place in San Juan, Puerto Rico. As of June 01, 2005, the NAPF now lists twenty-one [21] countries as members in some capacity. Concentration for the first two [2] years was primarily directed on the [width] of the federation. Plans for the next two [2] years will be to work on the [depth] of the NAPF, by assisting member federations with [internal] development of their respective organizations to include the following: i. National Championships ii. Regional/Sub-regional Championship iii. WADA Doping Clinics iv. Training Seminars v. Referee Certifications vi. Volunteers for NAPF Region International NAPF development criteria will include national championships to take place in each respective member country. Sub-regional championships have been scheduled for both Central America and the Caribbean Islands to promote and develop powerlifting within these regions. As part of our continued development, next year's NAPF Championship shall include a WADA Doping Seminar, and referee certification clinic. And, if time allows, a training seminar clinic shall be scheduled for athletes and coaches for the emerging and developing countries. Other motions passed at the congress included the acceptance of member nations to begin paying an annual fee to the NAPF. The monies collected will allow for future development to take place in the region. Most important, was the official acceptance of the WADA Code by all member countries to the NAPF that will mandate drug-testing to take place at all championships both nationally and regionally. I would like to extend special thanks to Ms. Brenda Lemus of Guatemala, who translated the discussion between delegates from Spanish to English and vice-versa. This proved quite valuable and beneficial and allowed for a highly productive congress and for delegates to speak and understand the dialogue in their native language. The NAPF congress minutes can be viewed on the following website: http://www.usapowerlifting.com/IPF-NorthAmerica/index.html Finally, as the scope of the North American Region increases, so shall the opportunities for members from USA Powerlifting and affiliate countries of the NAPF to lift at an international championships within their own hemisphere, without having to pay exorbitant costs in having to travel to distant, inaccessible, isolated and remote places, which is commonly the case in traveling overseas to attend a world championship. Volunteers to assist in the future development of the NAPF are welcome and if interested, please contact me directly either via e-mail at: rhk@verizon.net and/or telephone: 954.790.2249. Championship Highlights There were many thrilling and outstanding highlights from this championship. In the Women's category they include Codi Grubbs final limit pull to defeat Carla Perez of Puerto Rico, Kimberly Walford's very close pulls with 232.5kg/507lbs at a bodyweight of 67.5kg/148lbs, along with Bonica Brown's world sub-junior record squats of both 217.5kg/479lbs and 227.5kg/501lbs, which literally brought tears to her eyes - a truly remarkable accomplishment. If I might add, Bonica will be a major force to reckon with in the future both in the Junior and Open categories. Bonica's world record in the bench press with 120kg/264lbs was equally impressive. Finally, Giselle Costa's final pull of 227.5kg/501lbs to defeat Bonica had everyone in the audience, as well as the entire Puerto Rico team on their feet, which came within inches of lockout, to end a very exciting finish to the first day of lifting. The Men's lifting on Sunday was equally impressive. Kris Scheppe of the USA showed than even being visually impaired that one can compete with this best in the world. Keith Scisney of the USA continued his winning ways with a decisive win in the 67.5kg/148lb category. Vasant Saith from Trinidad and Tobago was the proud recipient of his country's first medal in international competition. In the 82.5kg/181lb class, an emotional Adam Ramos of Puerto Rico song his national anthem to the musical hymn of Puerto Rico, which was very stirring, moving and inspiring for the audience and his team, after winning a very close battle between him and Boyd Lyon of Canada that was decided on the final deadlift. In the 90kg/198lb class, Jeff Butt, the current president of the CPU, demonstrated presidential power with some very consistent and well selected attempts to win. His opening bench press of 200kg/440lbs was very impressive. Marino Brito of Puerto Rico was extremely powerful and impressive with a total of 852.5kg to win the 100kg/2220lb class. Fellow teammate Harold Milan took the 110kg/242lb weight class title. Harold will be back in November to compete in the Pan-American Championships that shall be held in conjunction with the Men's Worlds. Leslie White of the Bahamas pulled a very strong deadlift of 295kg/650lbs to win the 125kg/275lb class. Final attractions for the championship included the very close battle between American super heavyweights Randall Harris and Brian Laudadio. Brian's bench press of 320kg/705lbs was locked out; however, excessive foot movement nullified the lift. Brian's final pull with 332.5kg was extremely close; however, Randall's balanced lifting was able to hold Brian off. Randall was featured in the Miami Herald prior to the championship, and had hopes of breaking the 1100kg mark at this championship. Champion of champion awards and team awards were presented at the farewell banquet on Sunday evening that was attended by some one -hundred [100] athletes, coaches, officials and their guests. Kim Walford and Randall Harris both from the USA were awarded this year's champion of champion awards. The USA took the women's championship team title with a perfect score of 72 points, and the men's team title, amazingly enough, was taken by Puerto Rico, who came to this championship very well prepared and scored a sensational 72 points, via six [6] first place finishes. It was reported to me that upon their arrival home at the San Juan International Airport, the entire National Team of Puerto Rico was greeted by a huge cheering crowd and parade with several thousand people to celebrate their remarkable and triumphant accomplishment and achievement in winning this championship. I must say this was well deserved as they came very well prepared and ready to take on the USA at this championship and soundly defeated them. Interestingly enough, the Puerto Rico Powerlifting Federation [PRPF] is a very well-funded organization, and receives some 20,000 USD per year to fund their organization. They are quickly becoming one of the major forces in the region and shall host next year's championship in San Juan. Drug-testing Resume Overall, eight [8] tests were taken with all being sent to the International Olympic Committee [IOC] accredited laboratory at UCLA. As of the preparation of this report, the results are still pending. The Doping Tests performed at this championship meet the mandatory WADA guidelines of testing 10% of the athletes participating in the championship. As a final comment with regards to drug-testing, I would like specifically thank Inzer Advance Designs for funding a large portion of the doping fees for this championship. It is a pleasure to know that sponsors like Inzer Advance Designs and Titan Support Systems support and encourage drug-free sport. Kudos to both organizations! Competition Equipment/Services This championship featured the best equipment in the sport of Powerlifting. ER Racks from Denmark were used on the lifting platform as well as three [3] warm-up platforms located directly behind the stage. Ivanko weights, not to exceed 25kgs/55lbs, were used at all of the four [4] lifting stations. Barload programming was used for loading the platform weights, which resulted in no misleads whatsoever. A computerized scoring system manned by Rich Hayne of Florida Gulf Coast University produced immediate results once the final deadlift was pulled each lifting day, to include the outstanding lifter awards, etc. Chiropractic and EMT services were on hand to meet all of the lifters medical and injury needs. Special thanks go out to Dr. Bernie Miller, the IPF Medical Committee Chairman, for flying down from South Carolina to assist with the championship. Important and key, I posted marshals at the entrance to the lifting platform that were bilingual in both Spanish and English to ensure the proper order of lifting would take place. Also, I posted two [2] speakers at the scoring table to announce the championship both in English and Spanish, which also assisted in the smooth flow of lifting at the championship, which was promptly completed at 5:30 each day. This allowed for all of the lifters, coaches, officials, family members, friends and guests the opportunity to enjoy Miami, South Beach, and all of what Florida has to offer. Special Thanks Prior to completing this report, I would like to take this special opportunity to thank the following officials for assisting with the championship. Their efforts made it possible for this championship to be a complete success. They are: Larry Maile I USA Bill Clayton I USA Jim Hart II USA Jack Marcus II USA Johnny Graham II USA Ron Burnett II USA Regina Hackney II USA Jeff Butt II Canada Nestor Gregory II Puerto Rico Fernando Baez II Puerto Rico Guering Restrepo II Puerto Rico Karen Calderon II Puerto Rico Jose Jordan II Puerto RicoTECHNICAL SUPPORT STAFF Michael Licciardi National USA Karen Licciardi National USA Julian Ulvang State USA Patrick Currey State USA Eliot Feldman State USA Rich Hayne State USA Jim Dundon State USA Ryan Starling Official Staff USA Helen Varouhas Official Staff USA Dr. Bernie Miller Medical Officer USA Brenda Lemus Translator Guatemala Jim Ford Coaching Committee USA On a final note, I would like to thank the spotter/loaders, coordinated through Brian Burritt - House Pain that performed an outstanding job! Neither one misload nor missed spot during entire contest - On behalf of the lifters, great job gentlemen! Sponsor Contributions This championship, plain and simple, would not have been possible without the assistance of our national sponsors. I shall begin with special thanks to Mr. Pete Alinez of Titan Support Systems for donating $1000.00 dollars to the treasury of the NAPF so that we can continue to develop and promote international regional competition. I would also like to publicly acknowledge and thank Mr. Alinez for his kind and generous financial support of this championship. In addition, like last year, Pete also donated gear for six [6] sets of gear to include squat suits, bench press shirts, as well as both knee wraps and wrist wraps to the new and emerging nations attending this championship. Pete's contributions to these teams total in the sum of $15,000 USD. Contest gear and banner for the championship was supplied by Inzer Advance Designs. Again, I would also like to acknowledge and thank Mr. John Inzer for donating the funds that allowed us to carry out the mandated WADA/IOC doping controls on the athletes at this championship. Lifters when making your next equipment purchase, think of those sponsors that contribute back to the sport and to the meet directors. Titan and Inzer Advance Designs are such sponsors that one should look at when purchasing gear! I would also like to acknowledge the support and assistance of Ivanko Barbell, ER Equipment of Denmark, House of Pain, Strong Arms Sports, and Wanda's Workout Wear. Ivanko provided the new 29mm bars with the 25 pt knurling and were absolutely fantastic. I would also like to extend special thanks to Mr. Sherman Ledford of Question Nutrition for supplying the National Flags for each of the eleven [11] countries that attended this championship. Each was professionally and beautifully hung over the venue stage at the championship. On a final note, I would like to extend my sincere thanks to both Mike Sophia and Heather Wasek of the Miami Sports Commission who assisted with administrative and funding of this championship. This championship would not have been able to take place if it were not for the support. On a final note, if it were not for the direct, generous, and kind sponsorship from these sponsors for this event, which is so strategically important in our quest for IOC recognition, there would have been no championship. So, on behalf of the IPF and NAPF Executive - Thank you! To close, I would like to thank everyone for coming to the championship, and I look forward to seeing everyone next year in San Juan Puerto Rico! I wish you much success with your preparations and training. Kind and sincere regards, Robert Keller Championship Director General Secretary North American Powerlifting Federation |
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