That was the WPC National Bench Press Championship, held this Sunday, April the 20th. The date had a bag full of meanings to me: it would be the first “real” competition I would take part in Brazil. Before that I lifted with the older federation, where, in this part of the world, many weird things […]
226lbs bench press @129lbs Sunday = I’m alive and lifting, unlike previously predicted Read More »
(of the series “random thoughts after training”) The deadlift is a different animal when compared to the other two powerlifts, in several aspects. One of them is that the number of RM (repetition maximum) does not correspond to max effort percentage the same way as for the squat or the bench press. It is really
Grip and the deadlift Read More »
I know I owe you guys a real article – I promised, I will. But today let’s just sort some things out. The whole steroid-drugs-sports imbroglio is sold to you in such a way as to leave you powerless and confused. This is done on purpose: they need you to not know what to think,
Drugs – Steroids – Sports Read More »
PAIN – I spent over 40 days somewhat absent from the digital environments I am responsible for, somewhat late with work related tasks and replies, and evasive as to what was happening to me. Now I can speak: I had infectious spondilodiscitis. I was taken to the Emergency room on November the 12th, with a
I like to be in Las Vegas. The reason is obvious: I’ve been there twice, both times to participate in international powerlifting championships where I meet friends who I spend at least an year away from and where I meet other people with interests, attitudes and behaviors so close to mine that there is a
Las Vegas ambivalence Read More »
Here’s the data: I won at the open and master category at my bodyweight class (132lb), broke the squat and bench press open records plus all the master records. Got close to breaking the total, far from breaking the deadlift record and close to best lifter. In terms of my personal performance and results, it
The IPL Worlds: my first account Read More »
I bet there are a lot of things out there in powerlifting that you don’t like. From gyms, through methods, beliefs, gurus, drug testing policy, feds and meet venues. It is really ok to reject something: I, myself, am somewhat of a traditionalist concerning rules, and a radical, concerning individual rights (aka drug testing: against
Don’t like – don’t lift: don’t trash, don’t bash Read More »
(getting ready to delve into the “dirty secret” and expose the rotten bowls of hypocrisy) What baffles me is that no sport psychologist ever even approached this rich set of data with unprejudiced eyes and made an effort to understand the intricacies underlying the construction of the athlete’s identity. Ready to judge and make decisions for
A love greater than life: Excellence Read More »
I’ve recently fully assumed the presidency of our local powerlifting organization, the “Aliança Nacional da Força” (National Strength Alliance). When I say “fully”, I mean that I already was nominally the president but had different agreements with other members concerning the actual control I would exert. The organization was created in 2009 and we had
Learning to simplify things – on non-sanctioned meets in Brazil Read More »
I often read some of my favorite coaches writing about sacrifice and lifestyle in training and becoming strong. I know they accomplish what they mean, which is to motivate novices. I’m not sure, but I think a dose of dark truth would be good for these young minds as well. Until the WPC
Can you afford not to be that strong? Read More »
