Tulsa meet results!

[bigokie]

Well Saturday we were at the Physical Edge gym to watch Benchmonster compete. Me and Screwball were in attendance, Screwball having to back out due to shirt problems. He couldn't get his shirt to go right so he backed out, he will be there in July competing and will be close to 500 then.

Things didn't start too well. The rack on the bench that they used was too tall for his short arms. So we finally figured out that Screwball would lift it out to him. Not ideal but workable.
He opened with 450 in his loosest shirt. He pressed it fairly easily, but kinda slow. Next up was 475 which he smoked. That is an understatement. It was so much faster than the 450 that they weren't even comparable. This was the heaviest that he has ever benched in competition or in the gym, so it was a big record. Next we talked him into going for 505. The Oklahoma record in this federation is 501. He set up and got it up, but the board showed 2 red lights, he had raised his butt. He had pressed it and locked it out, only he slightly missed the lift due to his butt raising. I would say that it was a good day. He looked strong and nailed the weights. He won his weight class and also the best bencher at the meet. It was a good day. In May he will definitely be going for 520-530. If he doesn't then we'll sick Screwball on him.

Other highlights at the meet were a mountain of an older man who reminded me alot of Louie Simmons. Shaved head, huge upper and lower body. He squatted 800, then 865 and then had a no go at 900. The way 865 looked he could have done 900 but the guy who was running the monolift couldn't the the hooks to retract after he had lifted off the weight, so he sat with 900 on his shoulders for about 8-10 seconds before he could have even started the lift. He just reracked it and went on. He also pulled over 600. He was a monster, someone you just wouldn't want to mess with. I believe his name was Dave Burton. He was also 57 years old!!! He only benched around 300 due to a torn tricep.

 

[The mann]

great job to benchmonster!!!!!!!sounds like you guys are going to kick ass in oklahoma,.......

 

[k1401]

Thanks bigokie


was interested in the results!

 

[Geno_O]

Great job benchmonster and good luck on the 500+ at the
next meet.

 

[benchmonster]

Thanks guys,

It was a very good day even with the red lights at 505. First off, thanks to the board, and specific thanks to bigokie and Screwball for thier help, support, and being outstanding training partners.

The benches that they used for the meet sucked donkey balls. I am not making excuses, we all had to use the same bench, but the bench was made for a 6 foot tall person, and there was no way to adjust rack height. Same for the benches back in the warmup area. Also the bench itself (where you lay down) was way too tall, and did not allow me to move my feet out as far to the sides as I like, which led to my inadvertent butt raise on the 505. Regarding the butt raise. I did not realize I had done this. Because of the bad bench configurations, I was put into a body position that I did not like. The butt raise was not caused by an inability to lockout the weight, there was never any doubt on the lockout, it was just a situation of having my feet too close together, which allowed the butt raise. I will take steps to see this does not happen again. Let me say, it was nice having a 600+ deadlifter handing off under the conditions above. I was of no help in the liftoff, so Screwball is just deadlifting 500+ and handing to me. Pretty impressive in itself.

Other than the complaints about the bench itself, it was a well run meet. I was surprised to be opening 3rd from last. I opened with 450, and two 275ers opened at 500. One of the 275ers was a junior, and one was a master. The junior only hit his opener, and the master hit his opener, and then about 525. If not for the butt raise on the 505, I would have had the 2nd highest bench of the meet regardless of bodywieght, and the 220 open state record. But those things did not happen, and next time I will make them drag some 45's over to put my feet on.

I was fortunate enough to win best lifter-bench, and my division. I felt very good about the 475 and the 505, and I know if I had not been red lighted, I would have gone for around 525 or 530 for a 4th attempt. I tried to take the 505 over for the state record, but was told that since I was red lighted on my 3rd, I could not take a 4th. I will get that record next time.

The full meet guys were very impressive, especially the 57 year old squatting 865, and Shawn Baker, at 198 won best lifter, and his division with a 1650 or so. There were some very impressive teens there, including a 114er and a 165er who set records all day long. There was also a teen superheavy who set tons of records as well.

All in all, good meet. Made a good comeback after my last meet. Proved I was strong enough to go 500+, got a plaque and a cool trophy, and made some new friends.

B.

 

[Arioch]

Congrats. Sounds like you will hit 500+ with ease at your next meet. Kinda nice to have a less than perfect day and still take home best lifter awards.

Good job.

 

[I'D RATHER BE DEADLIFTING]

Great job!! Awesome that you smoked a PR and then still nailed 30 lbs more. Red light or not, you lifted it!! Great job, you make the board proud. Can't wait til my next meet.

 

[Prometheus]

great lifting there, Monster -- congrats!!

 

[Deciever]

great job..sucks about the bench though. Congrats on best lifter, and your 505 bench.

 

[Screwball]

Sorry about the late posting but I just got back into town. I hate to admit this but I will anyway. I took a digital camera to the meet so that I could post some pictures of the "Okie Crew" and specifically so that board members could see Benchmonster in action but I screwed up (hence my handle, Screwball). I dropped the camera on the pavement and the batteries fell out. Anyway, the images in memory were lost so I have no pictures to post. Sorry guys, I'll get pictures the next time the "Okie Crew" gets together.

Now to the meet itself. The meet was sponsored by the APF/AAPF and even though it was smaller than many meets I've attended it was efficient and the judging was real good. I really enjoyed watching the women, teen and master lifters. Many records were set in these classifications. Strength is relative and it's impressive to see a 16-year old, 165 lb. teen set mutiple records in each lift (I believe he squatted & deadlifted over 400 lbs.) or a 57-year old, 275 lb. master attempt a 900+ lb. squat. I was very impressed with many of the lifters.

Benchmonster had a great meet. Our expectations were for a 500+ bench and even though it didn't happen at this meet it will happen at the next for sure. Benchmonster seemed relaxed and confident. I was all jacked-up. I get nervous for other people, I guess, because I have no control over what is going to happen. BigOkie and Benchmonster can varify that I was sweating more than anyone at the meet and, yes, that included the lifters. Some guy asked me how much I lifted when BigOkie and I stepped outside for a breather. BigOkie started to laugh and I told the guy, "you wouldn't believe it if I told you." How come everyone always picks on the fat guy? (Ha, ha!)

The bench uprights were a bit too high for Benchmonster but I don't think it was really an issue in the end. The height of the bench pad itself was another matter, though. It would have been perfect for BigOkie or me but for Benchmonster it was too high. We should have used plates under his feet but we were distracted in the heat of the moment. One of those mistakes that you learn from, I guess.

1st Attempt (loosest shirt) - 450 lbs. - medium speed but solid - 1st is always the hardest - 3 Whites

2nd Attempt (tight shirt) - 475 lbs. - very fast and very solid - "text book" press - 3 Whites - judges commented that it was a very strong press

3rd Attempt (tight shirt) - 505 lbs. - speed slowed some and a little bobble at the sticking point - locked out strong - 1 White and 2 Reds - butt raise

I personally feel that on a perfect day with no problems that Benchmonster could hit 525 lbs. - 540 lbs. no problem. In 6-8 weeks he may open right at 500 lbs. I was proud that he took the negative McAlester Meet posting (Bomb) and turned it into a positive Tulsa Meet posting. Trophy's for class winner and best bencher were truly deserved. Almost had the 220 state record too. It was a great day and Benchmonster represented well.

 

[powerlifterjay]

Dude you are there. Mentally you took the weight and got it. A little hip raise is nothing to fix. You are getting stronger as the each day goes by. Good job we are proud of you.

You werent lying about the rearview mirror were you?

Congrats B!

 

[benchmonster]

Thanks, and no, I was not kidding about the rearview mirror. I checked PL USA last night, and if the 505 had been credited, that would have put me top 50, actually 46th in the country last year, after 10 months of powerlifting.

I am very happy with the results nonetheless, and thanks to all, and especially the Okie crew and PowerlifterJay. Were it not for you guys, there is no way I could have made it this far this fast.

B.

 

[Screwball]

550+ by the end of the Summer! Booyah!

 

[koolio]

sorry to hear about the bench problems---but---now all of you short guys know what kind of problems tall guys have at virtually every meet...when you are 6'2" the bench is always too low to the ground and the standards are too short and far back...Even with a good liftoff it is a problem...add into it that it is impossible to get your legs into any position for leg drive and you have a guy doing a press with only the upper body...it is a friggin pain the ass...also, the longer your arms are the further you have to push the bar over your face during the liftoff and into position for the descent...for me it is always at least a 12" distance...I won't even go into the distance from the chest to lockout...sometimes I feel that if a bench meet were a track meet i would be handicapped to start 10 meters behind everyone else in a 100 meter sprint...

 

[bigokie]

Yeah Screwball, you and Brian are gonna be in the 550's by the end of this year. Hey Brian, just out of curiosity do you know what the 275 and the 308 top 100 are? I would like to know. Also, what are the junior if you have them? Thanks a bunch and good luck with your training. If you guys want to get together anytime soon just holler. HINT HINT HINT

 

[GRIMMER]

Nice Work. Now that you know you can geat 500 its time to set a new goal. 600!!!!

 

[benchmonster]

Bigokie,

I don't know off the top of my head, but I will post as soon as I find out. I am pretty sure that 100th place is in the very low 500's. 242's start at 500, and 220's start at 480. They post 308 and superheavies on the same list, and I am pretty sure both those and the 275's are in the 550ish range. Junior list, don't know.

I would like to get together maybe in a couple of weeks. Here or Stillwater is fine, up to you guys, just let me know.

koolio, I feel ya brother, but bench pressing and bull riding is about all that short guys have going for them, so I am not going to get real misty for you tall guys. You have your choice of sports, chicks usually prefer taller guys, you don't have to try and buy a size 48 or 50 suit and spend more getting the thing taken up in length than what the suit cost. But I do know what you are talking about, and it sucks when the equipment does not fit you well.

Screwball, 550+ by the end of the summer? Maybe, by the end of the year? No doubt.

B.

 

[benchmonster]

Bigokie,

I don't know off the top of my head, but I will post as soon as I find out. I am pretty sure that 100th place is in the very low 500's. 242's start at 500, and 220's start at 480. They post 308 and superheavies on the same list, and I am pretty sure both those and the 275's are in the 550ish range. Junior list, don't know.

I would like to get together maybe in a couple of weeks. Here or Stillwater is fine, up to you guys, just let me know.

koolio, I feel ya brother, but bench pressing and bull riding is about all that short guys have going for them, so I am not going to get real misty for you tall guys. You have your choice of sports, chicks usually prefer taller guys, you don't have to try and buy a size 48 or 50 suit and spend more getting the thing taken up in length than what the suit cost. But I do know what you are talking about, and it sucks when the equipment does not fit you well.

Screwball, 550+ by the end of the summer? Maybe, by the end of the year? No doubt.

Grimmer, I have been thinking about the new goal. I have had in the back of my mind for a little while now that I probably have the raw materials necessary for a 600 bench. I don't know if I can stay in the 220's to do it, but I am confident that in the next couple years (and maybe next year) I will hit 600. If you count the 505, then I went up 150 lbs in 10 months from a 355 to 505. 95 lbs in another year is a lot to shoot for, but I think it is realistic, because I firmly believe that I could have gone 525ish if given a 4th.

B.

B.

 

[Screwball]

Clarification...

That 550+ bench by the end of the Summer was for Benchmonster. If I hit 450+ at the July meet then I'll be satisfied. I figure Benchmonster is only 25-35 lbs. away from a 550+ bench right now (assuming meet conditions are good). With the way his training has been going over the last couple of months, I think it's "doable".

 

[Cubanito17]

HEY BENCHMONSTER although you raised your butt that's not my fault are you still gonna twist me into a pretzel and eat me since you didn't get the record??? . NAW WAY TO GO MAN. Damn I havn't been round for a while today was an off day from HW and studying and shit for me so I figured I'd come visit.

 

[Sago]

The older guys name is Danny Burton, not Dave. I believe he holds the record for his age group. LOL and he don't just look like someone you shouldn't mess with, he IS someone you shouldn't mess with LOLOL He is a living legend to lots of people.

 

[bigokie]

Sago,

Sorry, I didn't mean to get it wrong I was just trying to tell everyone about him because I thought he was one of the most impressive lifters at the meet, and probably one of the best I've ever seen. Do you know him? Do you know what records he has? Just kinda curious, I wish his tricep wasn't tore as I'd like to see what he could handle in the bench. I believe they said that he trains in Duncan.

 

[Sago]

I don't know him personaly. But I know of him. I would love to meet him one day.

I am not a powerlifter so I get confused about the different federations you guys have. He hold the world record in the squat for his age group in I believe the IPF, but I am not sure which one it is. He holds the world record for his age group in one of em though hell.

My knowledge of him is really has nothing to do with powerlifting.

 

[koolio]

Thanks benchmonster...it is good to hear a positive/humorous response to a post rather then a flame...At 42 I just missed being in the top 20 Masters list at 220 with a 450 press in Erie Pa. in November...I put up 470 but was turned down cuz they say I did not wait for the press command...Baloney...I have also found that taller guys with long arms have problems with denim shirts...I know i have had my share of problems...Staying in the groove over my stomach for a 20" descent is a bear...So for the time being i will stick with my extra heavy duty poly...I will be looking to open at 440 then go 470 and take a shot at 500 in Columbus on Aug. 3 at 220 in the Masters 40-49...If 470-500 doesn't get me in the listing this year then I will eat the friggin magazine...

 

[bigokie]

Koolio,

Just feel lucky your not any taller than you are. I'm 6'5" and this is one sport where heighth doesn't seem to help any. But I guess if Garry Frank can do it I can. Good luck getting into the mag.

 

[powerlifterjay]

I think the top 100 is always mis printed. There others that dont make it in there. Hell my 562 openr at 220 last year wasnt even there. I would be 10 at 242 and 10 at 220. But Sure as hell the rest of the WPO field is there. Plus when you watch those lifts there going up as you look at them. I mean Dwyane Nealy just nailed a 650 at 198. And just missed a reecord at 685 to beat Halberts. So use as a gauge but dont count on it. Cause if your #30 one year the guy who is 5 is climbing too. Everyone is getting stronger. You wanna gauge look in the new Monster muscle mag they have the all time greatest lifts on bench in all weight classes.

#20 of all time in 220's is 600.
#20 of all time in 242's is 617.

Theres your marks to go by. And from what i see there isnt much difference in lifts between 220 and 242. A little but not much.

Oh ya only one bench over 700 which is 701 by Kenny P in the 242's. Chris Confessore didnt get credit for his 741.

Just thought i would add that in!

 

[benchmonster]

You are right on the money as usual Jay, I was looking last night and noticed you got screwed in the 220's although it looked like they got it right on the 242 list for you.

Bigokie, I could not find anything on the 275 top 100, but the combined 308/Superheavies started at 534 bench last year and went up to Ryan Kennely who had the top spot last year with something in the 730's. The 275 list should be in the upcoming PLUSA edition. I would anticipate somewhere around 520 or so being the cutoff for the 275 top 100.

Koolio, I would not flame you. I am glad you thought my reply was humorous. I have heard complaints for years from tall guys, who are pissed becuase I can out bench or squat them complaining about the length of my stroke, etc. . . But, sniff, sniff, tear, (whiny voice) "I am short, this is all I've got!!!" If I could be tall and big, I would do it in a minute. But I don't get to make that decision.

I am about as far away from the Napoleonic Complex as a guy can get, ask bigokie and Screwball, but I realize where I am best suited, sport wise, and have chosen to compete in one of the very few sports where being five seven or eight is not a hinderence. If it makes anyone not built to bench feel better, I can't deadlift worth a shit, and I am not much of a dunker.

And Koolio, that is a very impressive bench at any height/weight/age. You should be proud.

B.

 

[koolio]

Hey Jay...the problem with PLUSA is if you don't call them and remind them of your lifts they may bypass them when it comes time to list them...Also, I know of a guy that was ranked in the top 10 in the bench in the 242's when he weighed in at 262 and did a touch and go (actually a big bounce)...Hometown judging goes a long way...

And benchmonster...i feel for ya in the clothes department...however, i would need a 56 long and that suit comes with pants with a 44 inch waist...since my waist is only 31-32 inches and it is impossible to alter pants 12 inches the stores refuse to mix and match a suit...so i have to have a suit custom made...minimum of $500 and that is cuz i do a lot of repeat biz...

 

[koolio]

Hey benchmonster...ya know what drives me loco is when some huge beer guzzling hotdog eatin' ogre lays down on the bench and slams 405 for 10 like he was pushing some porno queen up and down on his schlong but never enters a meet...makes me want to hang up the bench shirt and put my posing trunks back on...naaaaaaaaaa...not with my bird legs...

The guys from this board ought to all get together somewhere and have a meet..That would rock...

And Jay, you are right...PLUSA hosed you...

 

[benchmonster]

If things keep going as they have been for the last 10 months, I think I am about a year or so away from taking a run at a WPO meet. I know Jay does those, so an Elite gettogether could be in the works.

I would love to fly down to florida for a meet and hang out with the crew for a while. I am starting a new job on monday, and will be making mo money, so maybe I could work something along those lines out this winter or next spring.

I have also thought about a trip to westside for a bench seminar, and if I do that, Koolio, I will drop you a line and we could train together while I am there.

An all elite meet would be fantastic. Might be tough considering how spread out everyone is, though.

B.

 

[Dickvanveiner]

Congrats on the great lifting!!!