Steel over substance
Date: 01-07-2007
Posted by: Anabolic Info TeamUnited States |
|
Drug-free lifters need only powder
The hallway of the Century Center's lower level, outside a large conference area labeled "Suite 1", smelled -- overwhelmingly -- like baby powder last weekend.
So much so, one might have thought there was some kind of regional diaper changing competition taking place.
Upon entering the room, though, it was clear there was nothing babyish going on. Instead, the room was filled with around 70 baby-powdered Mack trucks in tank tops; gruff-looking powerlifters, in various states of preparation, who came from across the country to participate in the 2007 American Drug-Free Powerlifting Federation (ADFPF) Single Event National Championships.
"They brought me out of retirement for this," said Tony Horvath, 51, one of several local 'Mack trucks' to participate in the June 23 event, which consisted of drug-free powerlifters competing by age and weight class in one, or all, of three events (deadlift, squat, bench press).
Winners at the event qualified to join the US National Team and compete in the World Drug-Free Powerlifting Single Event World Championships in Montesilvano, Italy, Oct. 12-14.
"After the 2005 world championships I retired from competition," said Horvath, who trains at the Workout Company in Mishawaka, "but my buddy Raoul (Donati) brought me out here and all it took was a little bit of teasing and picking on me. He said, 'It's about time you come out and play old man.' And I'm kind of glad I did."
Horavth won the Masters' 3 Equipped Division, and his training buddy Donati was the star of the show, taking first place and the Best Lifter Award in the bench press with a 247.5 kg press on his first attempt.
For Donati, who badly injured his elbow in competition last year, the win was special. Generally regarded as one of the best lifters in the 40-44 division, Donati knows the wins can't last forever in the sport of powerlifting.
"My heyday is kind of over, I have arthritis in my right elbow," said Donati, a 1982 Penn grad. "But I still do this because I like to compete, and I like to lift, and it forces me to watch my weight and stay in good shape and to me that's important."
Elkhart's Jon Smoker won the Masters' 5 division by performing in the unequipped squat and unequipped bench press events.
Local lifting legend George Lealiifano, of South Bend, had a disappointing finish, failing on his three bench press attempts (320 kg, 337.5, 337.5). But there was no denying that Lealiifano was the one many came to see.
Throughout much of the competition, in fact, lifters and spectators were in the back of the room -- in the warm up area -- watching the 37-year-old, 302-pound mound of Samoan American warm up casually with 600-pound lifts.
"George is a creature. He's a freak, he's just unbelievable," said Horvath of Lealiifano, who has Olympic aspirations. "Everybody knows George in the drug-free federations."
They know him thanks to his ability to bench press 700-plus pounds -- which was what Lealiifano had hoped to do in his hometown at the Century Center. Although that was not the case, Lealiifano was happy to have had a chance to connect with local enthusiasts.
The competition was intense, but the friendly competitors also know how to have some good old-fashioned fun.
After all, this is the world of drug-free powerlifting. No steroids. No body builders. These are, for the most part, just a bunch of good, regular guys who happen to be good eaters, and really strong.
"You should see us at the Chinese Buffet," said Dave Williams, Lealiifano's trainer. "We've had them shut the place down and have to kick us out. George by himself can eat a whole tray of frog legs at the Grand Empire Buffet. But we have a lot of fun. We have fun, make fun of each other, then go and work on lifting."
"This sport is not for bodybuilders," said Horvath of his favorite pastime. "Bodybuilding is more of a 'me' thing, and powerlifting is more of an 'us' thing. With powerlifting you get to know everybody and have a lot of fun. Even if you're going up against each other, you still cheer for each other...
"In powerlifting, the steel is the monster. That's the competition, that's what you're trying to beat. That's the opponent."
And it's an opponent that Lealiifano, for one, will only take on with a clear head and a clear body.
"Me, I don't drink, I don't smoke, don't take drugs -- I go to church on Sunday," said Lealiifano "Besides my five kids and my family, this is what I love -- and it's hard to claim to be the best at something if you're not drug-free."
