MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan -- Weightlifting enthusiasts flocked to the IronWorks Gym Sunday to test their mettle during the Far East Powerlifting Championship.
The championship consisted of three lifting events: squats, bench press and dead lift. Competitors had three attempts at each lift to earn a score.
“I feel (Marine Corps Community Services) put up the competition to give Marines, sailors and dependents something to do – to test their abilities and win trophies or awards,” said Brian T. Wilson, MCCS assistant athletics director and native of Passaic, N.J.
Thirteen Marines and civilians came out in fitted weightlifting shirts, spandex, and modified lifting belts. With chalk-packed palms, competitors stepped up to the bar prepared to start the event with squats. Three judges checked every lift for technique as several volunteers adjusted the weights on the bar and spotted the competitors.
Regardless of the weight class, all competitors had one thing in common, which was evident in their red faces and bulging veins; they were all pushing themselves while trying to maintain proper technique.
For first time competitor Tamara J. Moody, native of Baton Rouge, La., the urge to participate came when she noticed a board displaying the names of top weight lifters from previous competitions proudly mounted inside the IronWorks Gym. The board motivated her to participate in the competition.
“I won’t stop until my name is on the board,” said Moody. “When they made that board, my name was meant to be on there. It was predestined.”
The competition remained intense throughout the bench press attempts, as no one seemed to know who was in the lead.
“It’s going good for me. I’m not doing as well as I wanted, but it’s going good,” said Jemarr R. Glenn, native of Gastonia, N.C., who was competing in the 181-pound weight class. “Just being mentally prepared is half the battle.”
Nervously pacing around the rows of chairs or constantly sitting up and standing made it obvious most competitors were anxiously waiting for the last event, the dead lift.
“I am waiting for my money-maker lift because that’s what I am good at. My whole goal was to break (the) dead lift (record) in the 198 weight class,” said Bart C. Yager native of Eustis, Fla., a first-time powerlifting competitor. “I may not break it, but I will … try.”
The grunts and yells of the competitors intensified with every dead lift. Just minutes after the last lift, the competitors gathered to hear the results.
The men’s overall winner was Koichi Kawamoto, native of Iwakuni City. Moody claimed the women’s overall title.
“I have always liked weight lifting and I’m really into body building,” said Moody. “I think this (competition) was a great way to get myself out there, to start competing, and to learn new things.”