July 06 article

USAPL CORNER

July 2006

Competing in a National Event

As the 2006 Bench Press Nationals, being held in Charlotte, gets closer and closer I started to think about the differences between a local meet and a National meet. First off, I love lifting in local meets, even though I haven’t been able to do it very much lately. At local competitions there is less pressure, friends and family are there close by to show support and there is a real opportunity to go for some PR’s.

When going to compete in a National event the perspective is completely different. Winning your weight class could mean a place on the USAPL World Bench Press Team. National, American and World Records can be set. How you place is the most important, because that is where you rank against the rest of the nation. If you take fifth place, you can say you are the fifth best bencher in the Nation!

I have heard on more than one occasion “Why would I go to Nationals, I can’t win!” This statement has always struck me funny. There are so many reasons for anyone to compete in a National event if they are able. First off, this is a high caliber event that will take place in a large city, with top notch venue, lifting equipment, judges and spotters. Second, there will be a large crowd to cheer on the athlete’s. Lastly, you will be lifting with the Nations best lifters. One of the great things about our sport is the athlete’s at the top of the game will always take time to talk with anyone and discuss lifting. Why not lift with the best of the best? There is nothing to lose, only experience to gain.

When lifting in a Bench Press Nationals you only have three lifts to make your place. This is a little scary in some ways, because there is not a lot of room for error. One of the worst things to see is someone “bomb” or never gets a lift counted at a National event. Your first lift should be a lift you could get on your deathbed. The refereeing at the National level is strict, plus some of us have to deal with weight loss or lifting at a different time of the day than we are used to. It gives you an opportunity to take pressure off by getting into the meet, and showing the refs how easy the weight is and what great form you have (they remember that).

The second and third lifts are obviously the most important. Your second lift should be something you know you can do, but makes you competitive in the meet. I always try to make this lift higher than my strongest competitor’s first lift – that puts me in the lead if they have a rough day, if possible I would like the lead going into the third attempts, but not at the risk of missing my lift. It also allows me to have them try to beat me on their third lift and gives me the upper hand. Sometimes you can get your competitor to have to jump up too much and your second lift is what wins the meet for you. You do not need to be able to win a National meet to make this strategy pay off. Pick the group of lifters that are close to your level. Complete against them to place as high as you can within the group. Ultimately, this will give you the highest place possible. With some luck, some mistakes above you will result in an even higher place.

With the experience you can gain at a National competition you will become not only a better lifter, but a better competitor.

Jennifer Thompson

USAPL NC State Chair

I.P.F. World Bench Press Champion

Webmaster Donovan Thompson

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