Fortified Iron

Currently, there is no requirement that lifts be weighed or done with certified plates to be included in powerlifting's all-time records. Likewise, in many federations no such requirement exists for record setting. With the knowledge that the actual bar weight can vary significantly when using inferior quality plates, should this practice continue? Does the practice call into question the validity of such records?

Here's video of Matt Kroczaleski, 242, deadlifting 810 pounds at last weekend's IPA Power Station Pro-Am in Sharonville, Ohio. Due to injuries, Kroczaleski only took a token squat and bench press. The pull was the second highest of the meet, only trailing Chuck Fought's 875 pounder to win the 308's. Also included is video of Kroczaleski's 800 pound second attempt. He opened with a successful pull of 760 pounds.

At Go Heavy, USAPL Meet promoter Will Morris says that he'd like to put on a meet and offer $5,000 to anyone who can beat Brian Siders under IPF conditions.

Here's video of Donnie Thompson, shw, missing his third attempt squat of 1,200 pounds at the IPA Power Station Pro-Am on Sunday. Thompson also missed his first two attempts of 1,080 and 1,160 pounds so was unable to complete the meet. Thompson holds the all-time highest total of 2,850 pounds, which included a 1,155 pound squat.

Ryan Kennelly announces that he has developed his own bench shirt and that he used it to set the 308 class all-time record on Saturday. Kennelly had been using an Inzer Super Phenom like many of the top benchers. However, after his fall out with his sponsor IAD, he decided to design his own shirt. The Kennelly "Stealth" Shirt is based on the design of the Super Phenom.

Here's video of AJ Roberts, 308, lifting on Sunday at the IPA Power Station Pro-Am in Sharonville, Ohio. Roberts placed third in the 308's, behind Chuck Fought and Matt Wenning. His 2,345 pound total included a 935 pound squat, 705 bench press, and 705 pound deadlift.

Here's video of Jeremy Frey, 242, from this weekend's IPA Power Station Pro-Am. Frey finished fourth in the deep 242 weight class with a 2,450 pound total. Frey squatted 940, benched 740, and deadlifted 770 pounds.

The SPF has named Mike Witmer as an additional state chair in the state of Florida. Witmer joins Bobby Myers as co-chairs in the state.

Here's video of Jo Jordan, 242, competing on Sunday at the IPA Power Station Pro-Am in Sharonville, Ohio. Jordan totalled 2,305 pounds to secure fifth place at 242. His total included a 950 pound squat, 635 bench press, and 720 pound deadlift.

Here's video of Ryan Kennelly, 308, benching an all-time record of 985 pounds on Saturday at the Pride Washington State Championships on Saturday in Kennewick, Washington.

Meet director Matt McCase announces that there will be a USPF/GPC Division II Bench Press event held in conjunction with the USPF Regionals in Parkersburg, West Virginia on November 1st. This will be the first dual Multi-ply/Single-ply event held in the U.S. since the GPC Affiliation was announced.

Here's video of Chris Taylor, 242, lifting on Sunday at the IPA Power Station Pro-Am in Sharonville, Ohio. Taylor finished in sixth position in the hotly contested 242 class with a 2,285 pound total. His total included an 855 pound squat, 750 bench press, and 680 pound deadlift.

Organizers confirm that what has now become unquestionably the top multi ply powerlifting event in the nation, the IPA Power Station Pro-Am, will be back in 2009 and that the Sharonville Convention Center in Sharonville, Ohio has already been secured for the event.