After a punishing 44 hours of travel the Australian team arrived at Suzdal Russia, a small town 220km from Moscow. For me this was the destination I had zeroed in on some time ago and prospect of taking on the Russians, the kings of the sport of powerlifting, on their home soil was exciting. This was raw lifting, real raw in my opinion- no knee wraps- just a belt and wrist wraps. Here it was lifter versus iron. But 44hours in a plane and bus do bad things to big guys and the hard hotel bed made things no better. All of that takes its toll and it sure makes things hard on competition day.
The training leading up to this event had been hard but solid. I had taken the reigns since February and I was writing my own training plans, based on the years of lifting behind me. All of the knowledge I had acquired was put into that plan for June 16. My Iron Edge cage, powerbar and plates gave me all I needed to execute the plan. I put down a solid 12 weeks of training.
Pic: 222.5kg bench
So there I was in the motherland amongst the worlds greatest. The Russians immediately took me under their wing. I was told I looked Russian, "like a Siberian bear". I made friends with lifters and coaches. Within a couple of days I had an offer to be coached by one of the great coaches and figures of Russian powerlifting, Russian Powerlifting Federation Vice-President Denis Basov.
On competition day I felt great. I could tell from the warm ups I had got things spot on with the training plan. My back felt tight, but I turned my mind to the task ahead. Warm ups for squat went so well the Australian coach increased my opening attempt.
First squat was 312.5kg. Easy.
Second squat 327.5kg. Easy.
Third squat 335kg. That's 4kg over my current Australian record. Sunk it nice and lifted it easy, but as I hit the hole I felt my back tighten up.
This squat put me into 4th place.
I kept my mind on the task, but I was now aware of a deep ache in my lower back.
Bench also went well.
I opened on 215kg. Lightweight.
2nd attempt 222.5kg. Easy.
3rd attempt 227.5kg- drifted out of the groove and couldn't lock it out.
Pic: Stephen with Coach Denis Basov
On to deadlift. As I warmed up each set increased the discomfort in my back.
My opener of 300kg would give me a 857.5kg total, only 6kg under my Australian record total. The plan was then to jump to 322.5kg for a 880 total, then unleash on the 3rd.
Unfortunately, as I pulled the 300 my back gave in. Result as a strain that left me unable to continue. This, of course, was devastating. To come so far and fall short is hard. Nevertheless, the lifts I hit were strong and good. Sometimes things don't go to plan. It just sucks when it's on the stage at the world champs.
Still a lot was learnt and I made some great connections with people I know will help me climb to the top of that mountain.
Stephen Pritchard