BWLA 4 Nations Powerlifting Championships 2008 Report

4 Nations

Wales played host to this year's 4 Nations Championships which were held at the 4 Seasons Club, Llansamlet, Swansea on 11/10/2008. The following report was written by Paul Rees, the Welsh team manager.

This Sci-Mx Nutrition sponsored International provided so many excellent lifters with the opportunity to perform with distinction. A World Masters record, three Commonwealth and several British records were executed to the highest I.P.F. refereeing standards at this well organised and successful event.

So many close battles between contestants across the weight classes kept the knowledgeable enthusiast on their toes throughout the day. All involved were smartly dressed in national tee shirts provided by our excellent sponsor SCI-MX NUTRITION .

Gillian Wright, England, the 2007 European Champion won the ladies best lifter trophy with 185/107.5/200 a 492.5kg total at 67.5kg b/w. Her focus and determination was evident throughout in an exceptional English ladies team that included Monica Porter, who set a new World masters squat record at 90kg b/w class with 217.5kg and new British masters figures in deadlift and total.

Fresh from G.B. international duty, if thats possible, were the recently crowned World Masters ladies champions Jackie Blasberry, 75kg m1 and Jenny Hunter 56kg m2 whose lifting was simply immaculate throughout and were a treat to watch. New girl on the scene, Karen Gear 67.5kg, a former European Junior Gold medallist in the 400m relay, handled the pressure of an international competition well, lifting unequipped. With this magnificent team, England ladies won the team trophy by a clear margin,with Wales placing second.

4 Nations

Several promising juniors were in the teams from Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales and they dealt with the occasion very well. We hope to see them at the GBPLF British Junior Championships in the new year.

The 4 Seasons Club venue, that includes a powerlifting friendly gym, run by that magnificent servant of Welsh lifting, KEN WILLIAMS, is well appointed for competition with space and comfort for all. The loaders and spotters that included many International lifters were particularly efficient and added much to the occasion and deserve special praise. Thankyou all very much!

Phil Richard,who led the organisation of this Championship, also found time to win the mens best lifter award with 301br/201br/227.5, totalling 729.5kg at 75kg. Phils input on and off the platform was, considering all his family circumstances, beyond the call of duty. It is good that in our sport we have so many quality people who give their time for others.

Wales won the mens team trophy with a solid all -round performance led by Phil and supported by Nick Rees 82.5kg winner,the ever present Gerient Nicholls 90kg and the two giants of the team Bob Sadler 125kg and newcomer to the team Dax Dyer 125 plus who lifted well.

The cohesive nature of the teams and their coaches, managers, and support staff was good to see.Congratulations to referee Mark Dickenson, S.West, who received recognition of his promotion to I.P.F. category 2. The refereeing was of a high and exacting standard which is particularly appropriate for an I.P.F recognised International competition. Others to impress on the platform included Debbie Hawker 52kg and Rachel Cork 82.5kg ,both Wales, Karen Gillies, Scotland. Mother and Daughter, Mesdames Cunningham, i hope i am correct!

Amongst the the mens teams Andy Thompson 125 plus is really coming back to form, Robert Love,Scotland impressed, the Northern Irish juniors were really good value and lifted with pride.Willie Lincoln 82.5kg was full on and really determined to show the younger lifters how to do it. Tony Chahal 82.5kg lifted with precision and good technique throughout and at opposite ends of the bodyweight scale Matthew Parker 75kg and the magnificently powerful Terry Oneil m2 125kg, added to the excitement.

Thanks to the 4 Seasons Club, our referees,spotters and International support staff, this proved to be a really good Championships. A really big thankyou is due to Phil Richard, Will Tinkler, Ken Williams, Steve Bright and Fred Sterry. The representatives of our sponsor really added to the occasion with their geniune enthusiasm for everything we were all trying to achieve. Thank you SCI-MX NUTRITION.