USA Powerlifting at the Arnold
Monday, February 16th, 2009
USA Powerlifting Championships at the Arnold Sports Festival will grow in 2009 as the popular strength competition is directed by USAPL for the second straight year.
USA Powerlifting, based in Columbia City, Ind., has more than 5,500 members who compete in an organization that is committed to drug-free competitions. The group is also the only U.S. member of the International Powerlifting Federation, the oldest and largest governing body for the sport of powerlifting. The IPF, founded in 1971, has members in more than 100 countries.
The USA Powerlifting Championships will again consist of four events: GNC Pro Performance IPF Deadlift Championship; IPF Titan Pro Bench Bash; NAPF Quest American International; and CON-CRET/NutraCea Raw Challenge. All events will take place during the Arnold Sports Festival, March 6-8 at the Greater Columbus Convention Center.
USA Powerlifting president Dr. Larry Maile said this year’s event will feature approximately 155 athletes, up from 125 in 2009.
“It is a once in a lifetime experience for our athletes to come to the Arnold Sports Festival and compete in an event that features more than 17,000 athletes and 150,000 spectators,” Maile said.
Among the feature competitors will be Yukako Fukushima of Japan, ranked No. 1 in the world in the bench press. Fukishima, who weighs 105 pounds, has a career-best bench press of 295 pounds. “That is just insane,” Maile said.
Other athletes to watch include Daniel Williams in the NAPF Quest American International; Tony Reid and Ellen Stein in the CON-CRET/NutraCea Raw Challenge; and defending champions Brad Gillingham and Priscilla Ribic in the GNC Pro Performance IPF Deadlift Championship.
In addition to a larger field, Maile is proud to welcome Eleiko Sport of Sweden on board as an overall event sponsor. The equipment manufacturer has been active in the sport since the company was founded in 1957. Supplement provider CON-CREAT is also a new sponsor for 2009.
“We have done a great deal of work around sponsorship issues this year in an attempt to stage a better event in 2009,” Maile said. “Eleiko Sport will provide equipment and support money that will allow us to really add some value to the event for our competitors.”
For more information go to arnoldsportsfestival.com
Post by: Donlon
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