Sabers capture Army powerlifting titles

Published Dec. 18, 2007
By Staff Sgt. Tammie Moore
52nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs

SPANGDAHLEM AIR BASE, Germany -- The ability to deadlift more than 500 pounds is not a talent that many people have, yet three Airmen in the 52nd Logistics Readiness Squadron did just that during the 2007 U.S. Army Europe Powerlifting Championships in Landstuhl, Germany Dec. 8, 2007.

Mahlon McLean took home first place in the 90 kilo class squatting 352.74 pounds, benching 275.58 pounds and deadlifting 507.06 pounds totaling 1135.4 pounds. Travis Humprey captured first place in the 110 kilo class squatting 473.99 pounds, benching 330.69 and deadlifting 622.81 pounds the heaviest deadlift of the meet to total 1427.4 pounds. Troy Saunders not only earned first place in the 100 kilo class but also received the title of overall tournament winner. To do this, Saunders squatted 556.67 pounds, the heaviest squat of the meet, benched 402.34 pounds and deadlifted 606.27 pounds to hoist a total of 1565.2 pounds. In addition to these individual titles, the Spangdahlem lifters also brought the Team Title home with them as well.

During the competition the lifters have three chances in each exercise to post their maximum weight. Although the overall goal is to lift the most, competitors must also perform each lift in very strict form. For example, during the bench press the lifters head and feet cannot move, the shoulders and glutes must stay in contact with the bench, and the lifter must wait for a command to lower the weight, raise the weight and to re-rack the weight. Lifters normally chose a lighter weight that can be easily completed during the first round, so they can assure they will be able to make a qualifying lift. Then during the next two successive rounds competitors will progressively increase the weight lifted. The heaviest lift done in strict form goes towards the lifters total for each of the three exercises.

"A powerlifter's three-lift total is the sum of their work and worth as an athlete," said Benjamin Williams, the Spangdahlem Team coach. "I'm happy for my training partners because the totals they earned can never be taken away from them. Humphrey totaled 1,427 pounds; more than 100 pounds better than his total last year. Humphrey went 475/330/622 and made five of his nine attempts. This was McLean's first powerlifting meet and he made seven of his nine attempts. They both showed tremendous heart and the ability to perform under great pressure. I'm very proud of them."

The Spangdahlem Powerlifting Team trains together four to five times a week.

"McLean, Humphrey and I use the Westside Barbell methods in our powerlifting training," Williams said. "We've been training together since July of this year. We employ chains, bands, weight releasers, many different specialty bars, a dragging sled, boards and different height boxes in our training program."

Since Saunders participates in numerous bodybuilding competitions, his training has a different focus than McLean and Humphrey's.

"Although I talk to them on nearly a daily basis, because of the training I do for my competitive bodybuilding, I do not train in the same manner as they do," Saunders said. "Bodybuilding requires a focus on developing every muscle group as well as strength, so I spend much more time on working a variety of exercises with this goal in mind. Now that I have just completed the bodybuilding season, I will be able to spend much more time focused on powerlifting training."

Having to compete several times throughout the year, maintaining motivation can be a challenge.

"To be honest, it is the competitions that do keep me motivated," Saunders said. "I make a plan for the year of which competitions I will do, and then I design my workouts and diets towards those goals. I encourage everyone to find or make new fitness goals, so that they can have a focus that keeps them on target towards lifelong fitness. These goals can include more weight loss, faster run times or stronger lifts."

Williams encourages other Sabers interested in the sport to talk with others who are experienced.

"Anyone interested in becoming a competitive powerlifter, I would tell them to find some powerlifters and talk to them," Williams said. "The powerlifters here at Spangdahlem welcome anyone who sincerely wants to take up the sport. If you work hard at becoming knowledgeable and put the effort in at the gym, you will become stronger than you ever thought possible. But, it requires a lot of hard work and sacrifice."

Williams agrees that looking toward the next event is a great source for maintaining motivation.

"A sense of accomplishment is one of the greatest things I've gained from the meet, but it's temporary," Williams said. "You must look to the next powerlifting competition and resolve to post a higher total there."

This was McLean's first competition, which he had two weeks to prepare for, so this win meant a great deal to him.

"The ultimate meaning comings in setting a goal and accomplishing it, but also it's a starting point," McLean said. "I'm a beginner with five months in, so I'm seeing were I stand."

All of the lifters have plans to compete again soon.

"I would like to compete in the 2008 US Forces European Powerlifting Championship and the 2008 Military Nationals," Saunders said. "However since I have just recently earned my pro-card in bodybuilding, I also am considering which 2008 bodybuilding competitions pursue. No matter what I do, I will continue to strive to improve and encourage others join the challenges that both powerlifting and bodybuilding offers."

Like wise, McLean is already preparing for his next competition.

"I want to compete as much as possible," McLean said. "I really want to compete with Williams and Humphrey at Vicenza, Italy in 2008 with the intent to improve my poundage as well."