Wellington and Central Powerlifting Association Regional Powerlifting Championships 2023, Zenith Fitness, Papaioea

Another year, another regionals.  But this time I did the whole thing.   I didn't really diet into this, I actually increased my food intake significantly, but I still lost weight.  Maybe the lack of creatine, maybe the lack of training, but it dropped by about a kilogram. 

This was my first competition as a M2 lifter, as I turn 50 this year.  

Weighed in at 116.4kg, which means the weight class was 120kg by a good margin.  Ate a bunch, drank a bunch.

Watched some lifting, and then went for a walk to warmup like normal, did my adductor squeeze and my side lunges.  Started squatting.  Moderately mixed warmup, but felt ok.  

Squats

First attempt: 210kg - always concerned about depth, but sunk the lift and 3 whites, fast.

Second attempt: 220kg - a little slower but three whites.  120kg M2 WCPA Record.

Third attempt: 230kg - a good grind, but moved ok, 3 whites.  120kg M2 WCPA Record.

Warmed up bench a little more, but still wasn't standard flow.  

Bench

First attempt: 160.5kg - bench felt low.  Weight felt ok and moved quickly.  3 whites.  120kg M1/M2 WCPA Record.

Second attempt: 170kg - bench still felt low.  Moved ok. 3 whites. 120kg M1/M2 WCPA Record.

Third attempt: 175.5kg - bench felt low.  Weight felt ok, but got stuck 75% of the way up. 3 reds.

Felt a little stiff, so warmed up deadlifts a little more at the lower end, and then jumped quite quickly.  

Deadlifts

First attempt: 235kg - moved fast.  3 whites.  120kg M2 WCPA Record.

Second attempt: 252.5kg - moved fast.  3 whites.  120kg M2 WCPA Record.

Third attempt: 260kg - moved reasonably fast.  3 whites.  120kg M2 WCPA Record.

Total: 660kg.  120kg M1 WCPA Record.  120kg M2 WCPA Record.  

This was the highest total I have ever had, equipped or unequipped.  Not by much, but above.  It was my highest raw squat, but below my best 250kg equipped (injured - I repped more at the gym and was meant to open at 270-280 :|).  Wasn't my best bench.  But the deadlift was the most I have ever done, regardless.  I know I had moved 252.5 when I was a junior, and 255 back in 2009.  But 260 felt like it moved fast enough to be good for 265-270. 

So, the whole thing was a successful meet.  8/9 lifts.  

For my competitions since I returned to real lifting in 2018 I have hit 38/42 lifts.  Over 90%.

Time to ramp it up.