2023 UK OPEN INTERNATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS
POWERLIFTING, BILATERAL & BENCH-PRESS
This is the first for the BPO 2023 UK Open International Championship to be hosted at “ISO Fitness Gym”, Ystalyfera, Wales on 8th October thanks to Cerith Thomas, Proprietor and Will Tinkler, Meet Director. The ISO gym is fully equipped with quality equipment that is ideal for the development of humane power and strength.
Competitors travelled some eight hours from all over the UK from Yorkshire and Kent to descend on a lovely sunny day in Ystalyfera. We were treated to some spectacular performances, using good vocal support in the audience. It was exciting and exhilarating to see lifters lifting with such good form and technique for lifting heavy weights.
The standard of lifting was excellent, with an array of new lifters from all categories with some good camaraderie to win the classes creating a very vibrant atmosphere. The Platform crew delivered an excellent faultless application on all lifts.
The BPO operates with three divisions for lifters, Raw, Classic and Single ply.
Spectators were treated to an array of records 20 World records; 20 European record and 24 British records were broken at these championships in all categories which are colour coded on the scoresheets. This surely shows that there is still that thrust in GB powerlifters still wanting to achieve much more.
Phil Beniston excelled by breaking British, European and World Master records on every successful lift.
Will Tinkler made all lifters proud by each receiving Unique Hercules statues, Lady with Sword and certificates of participation.
RAW RECORDS POWERLIFTING:
82.5kg Men’s Open - Phil Beniston, Squat 182.5kg B-E-W Bench Press 152,5kg B-E-W Dead Lift 250kg B-E-W Total 580kg B-E-W
82.5kg Men’s M60+ - Phil White, Dead Lift 175kg B
100kg Men’s M40+ – Chris Jenkins, Squat 242.5kg B
RAW RECORDS BILATERAL:
75kg Men/s Teenager – Jack Douglas Dead Lift 165kg B-E-W Total 225kg B
75kg Men’s Open – Matthew Taylor Dead Lift 185kg B
82.5kg Men’s M60+ - Phil Beniston, Bench Press 152.5kg B-E-W Dead Lift 250kg B-E-W Total 397.5kg B-E-W
Key: B=British record. E=European record, W=World record.
Many of the lifters have since e-mailed, Facebook, text, telephoned and wrote to express how “GOOD” the Championships were run, with dedication and commitment from all those below involved.
THEREFORE, A VERY BIG THANK YOU TO
Meet Director: Will Tinkler
Platform Crew: Dewi Evans, Will Tinkler, Chris Donoghue, Ron Jarratt
Proprietor: Cerith Thomas
MC: David Carter
Technical Officer: Andrew Shipman
Referees: David Mannering, Dominic Avo & Shell Reed
Presentations: Andrew Shipman
Report by “The Crane”
