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Hmmmmmmmm - well, have I been SLACK, or what..?? When was the last time I put 'pen to paper' as they say I the classics. Woe is me... Some months have now passed since we published the last column - as such, the comings & goings in the world of powerlifting have been numerous. I'll endeavor to recall/reiterate what I'm able... Queensland. Yes, well..most unfortunate news regarding the new State Prez. Mason has torn his right pec. an absolute humdinger..!!!!! Collectively, we wish him all the best for a swift enough recovery in time for this year's National Titles in sunny Adelaide. I'm lead to believe that the tear is of a rather serious nature - let's hope he's back stronger than ever for that rumored attempt on a 240k bench sometime before then end of 2004... Elsewhere, Big Dean Cowan is looking to compete in Hawaii. Perhaps alongside some of the local benchpress kings..? He's indicated a desire to perhaps put together a big total in one of their three-lift competitions. Let's see what transpires..! Michael Trentin's crew - Scorpions Gym - are cruising along. Looking forward to the 'big one' in August I'm told. Presumably, we'll see everybody there..? Terri Lee Wulff, under Mason's expert tutor ledge, is absolutely killing 'em.!!!!!! I'd say she's gunning for some of the greatest Open Class lifting in Oz History.!!!!!! The gains she's made since last year's Nats in Melbourne are nothing short of phenomenal. Stay tuned for this year's comp. in Adelaide for some serious lifting from Terri folks..!!! NSW. Well, the year is only two months old, & already Australian Powerlifting History has been made in Ballina. On the 14th of Feb., in this peaceful seaside resort, Warren Rozen squatted a mind-boggling, earth-shattering, record-smashing 400(!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)kg in the 100kg class..!!!! Whilst the lift itself has been well & truly covered elsewhere, it's only fair & just to (once again..) congratulate Warren on this historic achievement. It's not only the biggest lift ever in this weight division, but also the greatest lift ever on Reschel formula, & the biggest single weight ever lifted in Australian Powerlifting History, breaking Ray Rigby's epochal 385k squat @ Super back in 1985. Gosh only knows where Warren goes from here..?!?!? Will we see the magical 1000kg total appear soon..?? Only he would possibly know..!!! Watch out.!!!!!! A full report of the day's proceedings is available elsewhere on the 'net - suffice to say Warren's lifting was the highlight on the day (year..?), however, many, many outstanding performances were registered for the meet. Again, congratulations to all who took part in the competition, & we look forward to ever-increasing performances from this location. Laurie & Taylor were holidaying in Perth just after Christmas, & I caught up with them both briefly. Aside from the usual 'amusing' stories Laurie had for me, they've indicated intentions of lifting at the Nats. In August, & Laurie's looking at some substantial figures. Let's wish the crew from Albury all the best for 2004. Victoria. With the departure of Chris & Kyra Brown, Vic. appears to be in good hands under Mike Brittan's guiding hand. Both Chris & Mike are to be congratulated on a job well done at last year's Nationals. All who lifted enjoyed themselves, & set the scene for the upcoming competition this year. As I've covered (briefly..) the lifting of local lad Warren Rozen elsewhere, on to other news... Did we all see Tegan's exposure on the current affairs program 'Today Tonight'..? I did..!!! Quite a good piece, I might say..!!! (That's both Tegan and the program..!!!!). Great promotion for the sport, & an excellent story to boot..! Good on ya love..!!!!!! I'm aware (via Ahmed..) that the Australian Masters Titles have been held. Somewhere in Vic., I believe..? Anyway - FANTASTIC to see the return of Charles Coleiro to the platform..!!! Will he keep the flag flying..? Only he knows..!!! Could we see the historic father & son pairing of Charlie & Kristian this year..? OR...that of Vince Simonetta & 12-yr old offspring..? Possibly at the Nats..?? Let's hope so..!!!!! On a sadder note..the passing of a powerlifting champion-record holder/gym guru/all-round legend Len Wilson on November 27th. For those of us newer to the sport, Len was a 'guiding light' earlier in my own career, & served the needs of the 'irongame' willingly, right up his unfortunate demise. I saw him at the Nationals in Melbourne, & he appeared in good spirits. I could barely believe the news not long afterwards. Rest in Peace good sir - we will miss you. South Oz. Of absolute importance this year is for ALL CAPO MEMBERS to support Andrea & Yuris' staging of the 2004 National Powerlifting Titles. It's been some 14 years since a full World Class three-lift competition has been held in this fair State, & we owe it to them both to attend this meet, & ensure its very success. I reckon it's just what S.A. needs to help 'kick-start' the sport - let's all combine here, & get our butts to Adelaide in August..!!!! Enough said..!!!!!! W.A. Jeepers, it's quiet here..!!! Probably the State with least news..!!!! As an experiment, we've combined with Frank Lamp's 'All-Round' Weightlifting crew to help promote both sports. As such, the CAPO W.A. & 'All-Round' State Titles will be held concurrently on May 16th. Should be interesting to note the results - whilst we're not expecting any gigantic performances, the combination of the two could prove interesting. Results to follow..!!!!! Henry Day has been flying all over the globe with work-related duties, but is hoping to make a 'comeback' of sorts relatively soon. Always capable of a big bench, we wait in anticipation of an 800+kg Tl. Could 2004 be his year..? Stay tuned..!!!!!! I hear former IPF World Champion & Australian lifting legend Paul Jordan has been spotted in a wheelchair. Can't confirm at this time, though I'm aware a history of hip-related problems exist. Let's hope Paul is ok, & makes a full recovery from his medical condition.. N.T. WOW..!!!!!! Where do I start..?!?!?! Chris & Kyra are now the parents of a baby girl - Chris a new daddy, Kyra a seasoned mum. Congrats. to them both..!!! A recent referee's clinic held over two days produced nine new refs., with a potential five more..!!!! That's some sort of record within itself..!!!!! GREAT STUFF..!!!!!! I'm told through the grapevine that Front Squats are producing amazing results in the gym..!!!! Could this be their 'secret weapon' for this year's Nats..?? Time will tell..!!!! With the 400k barrier broken by a southern-states lad, can the 'big squatters' of the top end take up the challenge..?? Take note, Mr. Brown - the days of 360+ lifts are now looking a bit..well..you know what I'm getting at..!!!!! 410 in August my man..!!!!! 900lbs from the Darwin Danger Man..!!!!!! GO FOR IT..!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The rest of the team appear to be cruising along. As Adelaide is just a 'country jaunt' from the tropical north, I'm quite certain a strong team should emerge from the NT this year..!!!! C'mon Smithy - let's make sure ya get a squat passed this year..!!!!! HA HA HA HA HA HA..!!!!!!!!!!!! (-; A quick report from Canberra. Whilst the bushfires were ravaging our Nation's capital, Joe Giampaolo was setting the gym on fire with what could quite possibly be the training poundages/repetitions of the century. Try 320k for 8's, followed by 350k for five(!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!). With this in mind, & the current WPC Open Men's World Record of 390 held by Steve Goggins, what could possibly be the outcome..?!?!?!?! I'm informed Joe slightly tweeked his back recently, & could be side-lined for awhile. I'll make a prediction that, if successful, Joe could be the first WPC Open Men's Record Holder by years' end with a 392.5-395..!!!!! Finger's crossed..!!!! Hope I've covered just about everything, & wish everybody all the best for 2004..!!! Remember - we MUST support this year's National Titles in the city of churches. OF UTMOST IMPORTANCE.!!!!!!!!!!! SEE YOU ALL THERE..!!!!!!!!!!!!! P.S. Reuben Simanu in the 'Land of the Long White Cloud' appears certain the hit 300kg in the bench by December 2004. He's kept in touch throughout his training & competing for all of 2003, & looks the part for a MONSTER BENCH fairly soon..!!!! For those of you unaware of Big Reuben's aspirations, he was quite keen to lift in the 'Pro. Bench' in March of '03, but political difficulties between organizations unfortunately prevented such. All I can say Reuben is..ONCE WERE WARRIORS MY FRIEND, & we wish you ALL THE BEST FOR 2004..!!!!!!!! GO FOR IT..!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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