[ Post a Response | Powerlifting Supershow ]
Posted by Tom McCullough on August 19, 2008, 10:42 am
I have been involved in powerlifting since 1980 as a competitor for 25 years and a meet director for 12 years. This was THE most exciting meet I have ever been to including the old USPF Nationals, WPA, the GPA etc. Over the years I have watched many people try to make this sport more palatable for the average person to watch with little of no success. Inzer came up with a wild idea that really came off with a huge success.
This type of lifting is much easier for the average person to relate to. REPS! It went very quickly and spectators got to see a collection of the World's best lifters on stage pushing huge amounts of weight for more reps than you would see them do in several meets.
As I looked around the venue I saw that the MX2 and SRX drew the crows, excitement and curiosity you might expect to see in audiences at something like the X games. I think Inzer has hit on something BIG. Imagine seeing the top bodybuilders, strong men and powerlifters going head to head in the SRX!
The REAL RAW meet.....I was very skeptical about doing this meet. Especially since I believe so strongly in equipment. However, I feel this meet was VERY positive. No guys standing around bashing equipped lifters, no guys beating up on those they feel might be using supplements they don't agree with. Just a bunch of guys who wanted to show up at a great venue and lift some weight.
Inzer Advance Designs awarded the best bencher and best deadlifter a sizable gift certificate and guess what.......both athletes couldn't wait to hit the Inzer booth to buy bench shirts and deadlift suits. I believe now that is unequipped lifting can be promoted in conjunction with equipped lifting with none of this negative bashing going on, it can be the true gateway to hard core equipped lifting. Doing this will surely help to unite this fragmented sport and get everyone going the same direction. All in all, there was a pretty good crowd at the REAL RAW meet including the MX2 lifters, all there cheering on their fellow athletes and having a great time.
My wife and I had a blast this weekend and it seem to have put some of the fire back into this sport that seems to have burned out for me months ago.
John Inzer, Ed and Betty Pariso were great hosts and me and my wife were very proud to be a part of this great moment in both powerlifting and bodybuiding. We met some great legends in both sports and lots of new up-comers. Betty Pariso....what can I say...this is the biggest woman I have ever seen. I don't see how anyone will ever beat her. She is a true inspiration for all of us over 50. she inspired my wife to get to work in the gym and try to get her pro card.
Thanks John, Peter Thorn and everyone else involved. I hope all you guys who lifted are getting over your soreness. I know you must have felt like you got hit by a truck Sunday morning.
225
Message Thread:
« Back to thread