Reported by Jim Ford
The 19th Annual IPF JR World's was held in far away Sofia, Bulgaria under the cloud of the ominous disaster of September 11th, 2001. Our young team was shaken, but focused, and decided to go on with the competition and represent the USA to the best of our abilities. The following report is an abbreviated version of the competition. For a complete, more detailed version, please refer to the November '2001 issue of "PL-USA".
-44kg class*
Unchallenged for the Gold was Wei-Ling Chen of Chinese Taipei with a total of 375-Kg (826), which was 50 kilos over her next competitor and good enough for the RUNNER-UP BEST LIFTER AWARD. There was no USA lifter in this class as our 97-lb'er Steph McMillan was out due to injury.
-48kg class*
The 105's saw Natalia I of Russia win convincingly with a total of 352.5-Kg (777). There was no USA lifter in this class. Jenn Maile, at 18,is still just shy of the age limit of19-23 of age for JR Division lifting.
-52kg class*
The Gold Medal overall went to Yi-Yu Chou of C.Taipei with a total of 392.5-Kg (865).
The 114's saw the USA's first lifter, Kim Goff do her thing. She put together a smooth 140-kg (308) squat and a clean 175-kg (385) Dead Lift to claim the Silver Overall with a 360-Kg total. She tried a JWR of 191-Kg and gave it a ride, but not this day. Coaches voted her TEAM USA WOMEN"S BEST LIFTER. Kim was voted one of four TEAM USA CAPTAINS by her teammates.
-56kg class*
In the 123's it was Irena Poletayeva of Russia with a 10-Kg lead over her next opponent and a total of 417.5-Kg (920). There was no USA lifter in this class. Michelle Amsden was unable to attend this year.
-60kg class*
This class, the 132's saw two USA lifters, Veronica Aguila of Maryland and Nichole Sperbeck of Alaska.
Veronica made ton's of improvement since her showing at Women's World's where she represented Australia. Her attention to conditioning and technique was obvious. Her Bench was a PR of 85-kg (187) and good for the Bronze in that lift and a total of 377.5-Kg and 6th place finish. A senior team member who will be badly missed.
19-year old Nicole struggled all week to make weight, and it effected her lifting somewhat, but was still able to put together an American record Bench of 80-kg and a 7th place finish. She made it through her first IPF try and will now build on that experience.
Larisa Vitsyevska of Ukraine was the clear winner and OVERALL WOMEN'S BEST LIFTER with a total of 525-Kg (1157)! Gold in all three lifts and multiple JWR shows her dominance in this class.
-67.5kg class*
In the 148's we had two USA lifters. First was Kim Callier of Texas who put together a fine showing in her first IPF competition; no doubt aided by her coach/ fiancée' Wade Hooper. She had a PR squat and totaled 400-Kg and a 5th place finish.
Robyn Neidekorn, 19-years old from Galesville Wisconsin, lifted well, left a lot on the platform, and will now build on the experience gained in her first IPF competition. She totaled 370-Kg and 6th place overall finish. The winner was Yule Chepushtenova of Russia with a 502.5-kg total.
-75kg class *
The 165's had two USA lifters, Julia Loya of the Naval Academy and Katie Ford of the University of Texas. Ford drank water and gained up to the 181's leaving Loya to contest this class. Julia lifted well, went 6/9 I think. Missing key third attempts kept her out of Medals but she squatted & pulled 182.5-kg and a 4th place finish. Yana Petrenko of Ukraine went 501-kg total for the Gold Overall. Noteworthy was a Marie Thornton of Great Britain who went 377.5-Kg's and is part of a new British Women's team that is headed for good things in the future.
-82.5kg class*
19-year old Katie Ford who drank enough water to make the weight limit and represented the 181's. Coaches felt her attention to conditioning was apparent as she had an excellent meet going near perfect 8/9. She set American Records in Squat, Bench & Total finishing with a PR total of 427.5-Kg (942) and was 6th overall. Was voted one of four TEAM USA TEAM CAPTAINS and represented USA @ OPENING CEREMONIES. Overall winner was Natalia Poleshuk of Ukraine with a 540-Kg (1190) total.
-90kg class*
Jessica Watkin's had some trouble in the squats, only getting her openers but was still good enough to win the Bronze overall with a 6/9 day and a 480-kg total. She will build on this experience and come back with some awesome numbers. She was not pleased with her performance. Buts she's the real deal.
Gold went to Yule Kurina of Russia with a JR WORLD RECORD TOTAL of 582.5-kg (1284). A JR World Record Squat with 250-Kgs. was passed on a 2-whites call. Bad call/2-high. (IMO) Another attempt was tried with 255-Kg and red-lighted on depth.
-90+kg class*
Mary Holt of the USA showed well in her first IPF meet and brought home the Bronze with a 407'. 5-kg finish. She will add depth where we badly need more lifters in the JR Women's Heavyweight classes.
*************************************************
The USA Women's Team, short one lifter, with only 9 this year, finished well. Their 43 points gave USA Women a 4th place finishes overall. First place went to Russia with 66-points. Kimmi Goff, in conjunction with other women's team members, contributed her Best Lifter award to Katie Ford for her fine performance. Six of the women's team are still eligible for next year's team, so it could be packed with experience.
MEN'S COMPETITION
-52.kg class*
Only four lifters here but matched veterans Darius Wazola of Poland & Damitri Panin of Russia. Last year's champ Wazola repeated for the Gold medal with a 535-Kg total. No USA lifter in this class.
-56 kg class*
Eight lifters in this class, no surprise as 18 year old Tsung-Ting Hseih of Chinese Taipei repeated his JR. World Champion status. His 620-Kg total was good enough for LIGHTWEIGHT CLASS BEST LIFTER. Missing a key opening Dead Lift on balance, he had potential for even higher total. He was runner-up Best lifter for JWC.
USA's Micah Kiletico, first time IPF lifter did well, very composed and a 5th place finish. This 20-year old did a PR 220-Kg Deadlift like his home town, "THE BIG EASY!"
-60 Kg class*
19-year old Russian, Alexander Gromov took the Gold medal with a 637.5-kg total. USA's standout lifter, Trey Cunnigham finished just out of the medals in 4th with a 577.5-Kg total. Only 2.5-Kg divided spots 2-4 in this division. Trey has only missed 1 lift in his last two meets…. Men's Nationals & JR. Worlds. Was voted one of four TEAM USA TEAM CAPTAINS.
-67.5-KG*
One of the biggest classes of the competition saw the biggest controversy as technical problems caused the Gold to be awarded to both lifters, Maxin Lapshin of Kazakhstan and Alexander Kutcher of Ukraine. Final results listed their totals at 715-kg. Osokin of Russia benched 190-kg (418) and Kutcher of Ukraine pulled 285-kg (628). Clay Grubbs of the USA hit a PR squat, missed his patented big DL. Went on to place 9th in this large, tough class. Contributed key coaching assistance, will be a seasoned Vet on next year's team.
-75.kg class*
The Russian Vostrikov came from behind to pull a big 285-Kg (628) Dead Lift to win Gold with a 750-Kg total. Brad Robbins of the USA finished 5th overall with a JR AM. Record Total of 692.5-Kg (1526). Torn hands didn't stop his 3rd pull.
-82.5 kg class
The largest class with 19 lifters saw 18-year old Anton Yatskov of Ukraine on top with a 795-Kg (1752) total. The USA had no lifter in this class. Noah Devine was unable to attend.
-90 kg class*
Maxine Barkatov of Russia was the winner here with a 335-Kg pull and an 840-Kg (1851) total. The USA had two top lifters, Jason Beck and Nick Tylutki.
Jason, in his first IPF meet placed 5th overall and could have won Gold in Bench had a Technical foul-up kept not kept him from a third attempt. Also, finished his pulls with badly torn hands. Last year Senior will be a big talent loss to the JR. Team.
The same Technical problem robbed Nick of a BP attempt; yet he was still able to pull a nice 305-Kg DL and secure 8th place; in his last JR competition. Was voted one of 4 TEAM USA Captains and was nominated to rep the USA in OPENING CEREMONIES.
-100 kg class*
20-year old Ukrainian Olesky Rokochyy was the Gold Medalist here with an 877.5-Kg (1934) total.
USA's PJ Chovanec had a class-high pull of 327.5-Kg (722); and a narrow miss with 337.5. -Kg. The Bronze Medal went to him. 2 JWC meets in 2 years/ 2 Medals. More to come.
-110 kg class*
Another 20-year old Russian Powerhouse, Igor Medvedev squatted 360-Kg and a winning total of 915-kg. (2017). USA's Erik Steiner lifted well. 2 good squats, 3 easy Benches and a medal winning 3rd Dead Lift gave this College Station, PA. Lifter the Bronze overall.
The other USA lifter, Tony Arterburn, had trouble with squat depth and was eliminated. To bad, he's a great talent, especially in the BP. Stay tuned, more gas in the tank, records will fall.
-125 kg class*
Victor Karpik of Ukaina brought home the Gold with a 360-Kg squat and an 890-Kg total.
USA's Henry Thomasson had a rough day going only 3/9 and not getting a shot at his projected 900 LB squat. He came away with an 832.5-Kg total and a 6th place overall finish. I believe travel was a negative factor here. Henry has great potential.
-125+kg class
Vladim Bondarenko made 10 perfect lifts in his last IPF JR. Worlds showing. He completed multiple JW RECORDS and wound up with an all-time JR WORLD RECORD TOTAL of 1035-Kg (2281).
He was the CHAMPION OF CHAMPIONS for the 2001 IPF JW Championships.
USA's Randall Harris had a 6/9 meet, big numbers, and lots of new IPF experience. A 932.5-Kg (2055) total and Overall Silver Medal in Class.
He was also voted TEAM USA MEN'S BEST LIFTER by the coaching staff.
******************************************
USA's Men's Team finished 3rd over-all this year. Only Russia and Ukraine were ahead in points. Fantastic job by our guys. There were six LTU lifters and 5 Medals in DL's. Six to seven men's team are eligible to return next year, so the experience will be deep.
This year's team USA coaching staff included: Sandra Perron from Minnesota, Mike O'Donnell from Michigan, Greg Simmons from Indiana, Wade Hooper from Texas, Larry Maile from Alaska, and Jim Ford from Texas. IPF Technical Official PJ Couvillion from Hawaii was also there to lend support. Aiding the coaching staff was Alternate lifter Emilio Saldierna from Texas.
At Closing Banquet the Team presented appreciation plaques to a surprised coaching staff for their hard work this year. These were specially designed and donated by Mr. Al Siegel of Siegel Engraving of Clearfield, PA.
Our Sponsors were as ever, key elements in our national effort: TITAN, CRAIN, INZER, and HOUSE OF PAIN IRONWEAR, SIEGEL ENGRAVING, HILLCOUNTRY EMBROIDERY of Austin, Texas. Special thanks to Peter Thorne, Pete Alaniz, Ricky Crain, Rick Brewer, and R.L.Toungate for their aid to our team.
Much appreciation to MIKE LAMBERT and staff of "PL-USA" for their support to our National Teams over the years.
Thanks go out to Mike, Angie, and Barb in the NATIONAL OFFICE.; as well as Marsha Serra for her efficient work.
Webmasters Mike Armstrong and Tony Cardella for their On-line layouts.
Thanks to our National Team Travel Coordinators: Gale, Major & the girls @ BASTROP TRAVEL, INC. of Bastrop, Texas (512/303-1001) (800) 401-4428.
Collegiate & Junior Powerlifting is growing in popularity each year. The coming year is expected to see a see a rise in the number of meets, competitors, and excitement as all are again realizing the excitement to be had at this level. For questions regarding these Divisions please refer to Committee Chairs, Jon Magendie (Collegiate) and Junior (James Hart). High school lifters should begin watching the College rivalries and making plans to become part of the lifting action after graduating HS. The USA PL will soon post on their website addresses and contact numbers where you can get info on your choices of schools. Junior lifters (19-23) can organize USAPL sanctioned clubs & lifting teams for Team competitions at local & National level meets. This includes JR. age women lifters too! Don't miss out on the fun!
The Staff and lifters from the 2001 United States JR World Team would like to than k IPF members, USAPL members, Colleges, Sponsors, parents, and fans that supported them all year, making this trip possible. Next year we will journey to another part of the world, another continent-South America, to test our National Teams against the worlds best. The friends we made this year from around the world was a fantastic experience. Hoping to see you all again next year! We hope and pray the world is a safer place to live & travel internationally to compete, for all us, not just Americans. So lets make plans to have the most productive year possible, and barring any travel restrictions, we'll field the best teams ever for the 2002 JR. World Championships!
Good Lifting to you all!
Jim Ford/September 2001
