Powerlifting News
Welcome to the Melbourne University Weightlifting & Powerlifting Club (MUWPC) website. Here you will find the latest news and information about the Club and the sport of powerlifting.
MUWPC 2010 End Of Year Function
January 10, 2011
With what is fast becoming a club tradition, the final training session before the Christmas was followed by a short walk to the Carlton entertainment precinct for dinner, a few beverages and a pool comp. The first stop was Percy’s Bar due to its close proximity, a la carte menu for Wilks and $10 ‘pot and bar meal’ deals for the rest of us. With a decent feed on board, those who were after a few more drinks or who just can’t resist any chance to compete, hunted down a bar with a few free pool tables and as last year’s champion (Luke Bainbridge) was not present, an interim title was up for grabs. Soon after getting underway our little competition attracted the attention of a couple of would-be hustlers who tried to gatecrash the event. However, as bar flies are bound by bar etiquette, the vast number of coins we strategically placed on the table edges meant they were confined to the sidelines to continue their scheming over a few more ales.
Once again Mike, the “Son Of A Pool Shark” or “SOAPS” Censori, showed great promise in the early rounds only to fall on his sword just short of the final. Adam Trudgen was also knocked out in a semi final, but that was not the last to be heard of this pair. The final saw Sean “The Penniless” Connelly take on club president Dave Jame in a close game with both having shots on the 8 ball for the win. However, it was Sean drawing on his military experience to improvise and overcome the opposition taking the win and setting up a future match with Luke for the undisputed title. While the final was taking place the hustlers returned looking for challengers. Mike and Adam accepted and in what turned out to be the real match of the evening, they out hustled the hustlers and lined their pockets in the process. Thanks to everyone who came along and to all the club members who made 2010 such a great year!
-Dave Jame
Trilogy of the Bizarre
December 20, 2010
MELBOURNE UNIVERSITY AT THE END OF YEAR CONTESTS
Three contests, three sets of extremes. Triumph, trauma and the outright strange was dished up by Melbourne Uni lifters at three contests on three weekends at the end of 2010 – just as it had been all through the year.
HAWTHORN EXTRAVAGANZA 28 NOVEMBER
If quality won’t win the day, use quantity. 15 and a few halves Uni lifters swarmed over the Hawthorn venue and overwhelmed the standing-room-only audience (SRO as there were no chairs) at the state Weightlifting Centre venue.
But those hardy few spectators were taken on an emotional roller coaster. At one end was Stephen Pritchard benching 300kg, one of Australia’s all-time great performances; then came enigmatic newcomer Paul Woodbury who contorted his way through 9 lifts that stunned the Referees into giving mostly white lights. The oddity continued with Club associate Wim Van Weenen lifting an unknown number of times in most or all of the Raw PL, Raw BP, Equipped PL and Equipped BP.
Things seemed to be going downhill from there, when Club bankrupt and renegade Garish Shanker challenged his own title for the World’s Stupidest Squat (180kg at the 2009 Nationals, when the only part of his body to touch the bar was his head). Three excruciatingly slow, absurdly high Squats were scoffed at by the Referees, but as no blood was split Garish’s Sydney Title still stands.
However some dignity was then injected into proceedings, starting with Michael Censori getting B Grade after an ill-advised failure at that level last time. Irish Marcus Flanagan improved to a Raw 412.5kg (2.5kg short of Nationals qualifying as it later turned out), whilst Adam Trudgon shocked with a Junior Raw BP Record of 130kg. However we were plunged back into dubious territory when Minh Nguyen had a 162.5kg “Bench” passed, the time-warped Referees applying 2011 rules, or perhaps those of the 1960s.
MATTI TIKKA CHALLENGE, SYDNEY 4 DECEMBER
Onwards to windswept Sydney and a more select crew of four lifters again turned on a mixed bag, albeit one of higher quality than the histrionics of Hawthorn.
David Jame was the standout, an Australian Record Squat of 340kg at 100kg being a pop-up compared to his 330kg epic of last July. Disappointing Deadlift misses on 315kg held David’s total to 815kg, but 830-840kg will come next year. Corresponding member Sean Muir defied the laws of Gerentology by coming through after 10 years of trying with a 691kg 75kg. Australian Total Record, a figure for the ages now that the bodyweight classes have changed.
Back in Struggle Street, Sean “The Penniless” Connelly was left reaching for his wallet again, this time for new shoes after red lights for foot position stymied him in the Bench Press. Small Luke Helmke improved to 587.5kg but his Bodybuilding brain just cannot be turned off and all his lifts were slow and painful, including 2 Deadlifts ground up to 1cm short of lockout and left in a statuesque pose unimpressive to the Referees.
OCEANIA CHAMPIONSHIPS, SAMOA 10 & 11 DECEMBER
The final, big event of the year took place in tropical Apia, the heat was on four University lifters and they responded in suitably exotic style.
Minh Nguyen bombed three times, or not at all, depending on your point of view. Lifting despite expert Psychiatric opinion to refrain, Minh squatted 60kg then was carried off, as was inevitable, after another quad tear on 202.5kg. Next a clear-cut miss on three Benches, this set of Referees being firmly oriented in the realities of 2010. Undeterred, the next day Minh came out with another mighty 60kg performance in the BP-Only before 162.5kg contortions once again failed to fool the Referees.
But worse was to come in the 82.5kg class. Look up the Powerlifting history books and under “Strange Squats”, right beneath the picture of Garish, you will see the story of Ron Collins attempting 340kg six times for six depth misses at the 1981 World Championships. Chris Seville went close to that, opening passably on 267.5kg, but then after a saga too long to describe of returns-of-bar, protests and appeals, took out an Australian Record 280kg also six times, for a mixture of reds, whites, confusion and angst, but in the end a null result. More surprising were Chris’ reds on some good-looking Benches and the sting was gone by Deadlift time.
And on the drama went in the 100kg class. Chris Schaerf had yet another character building experience, with Squat depth and a mysterious suit financier continuing to dog him. Still, Chris came back with a best ever Bench of 212.5kg before heavy Deadlifting proved futile. Finally came the saving performances of Blind lifter Peks Nanai. Disoriented and setting up sideways Peks still squatted 252.5kg, was spot on with a 230kg Bench and finished with 252.5kg Deadlift and a best Total by 25kg at 735kg.
And that rounded out 2010 for the Club. On the horizon for 2011 are the new Raw category, new bodyweight classes and guaranteed organizational chaos at the Australian Championships, in a new venue after marching orders were received from yet another hotel in 2010. Stay tuned for more melodrama, psychopathology and outstanding lifting performances from Melbourne University Powerlifting Club.
- Victorian Extravaganza Results
- Matti Tikka Challenge Results
- Oceania Powerlifting and Bench Press Championships Results
- Robert Wilks
Australian Powerlifting Championships
August 12, 2010
Shock defeat! That was the fate of Melbourne University at the 2010 Australian Championships, the Club going down by 2 miserable points to Queensland University, courtesy of some unfortunate bombouts.
But before that there was another shock – Minh actually beat someone! (namely Phil the blind lifter, shades of the 1983 Worlds). This was at 67.5kg, immediately followed by a critical wipeout, fragile Neville Harris coming to grief on the Bench Press. Out in front in the 75kg class with a miraculous 685kg best ever, was Club associate member (no points though) Sean Muir.
Minh finishing up with a 217.5kg deadlift.
On to 82.5kg and things looked up. Ultra dedicated Chris Seville showed that virtue pays off, with talented newcomers edged out by his solid 687.5kg for a second title in a row. Back in 5th in a good standard field David Encino Man Platzer added another 40kg to his best, but spared most of the furniture and fittings in an unusually placid outing.
Up to 100kg and David Jame’s 330kg Australian Record Squat was a sensational, twisting repeat of the hard 321kg he did in April. David’s strength was not quite as good on the other two lifts, but 810kg was a good total at less than a full 100kg. Chris Schaerf stayed up at a tactical 103kg bodyweight but it didn’t matter, a bullish 272.5kg opening squat was dumped twice, then looked very good on a third attempt only for two referees to disagree, then a protest repeat being cut just high. The fizz was gone and Chris did only some passable Benches and Deadlifts, again with controversy as 280kg seemed to be still moving to lockout when the fateful ‘down’ came.
But out in front in the final session was newcomer Stephen Pritchard. His training didn’t look inspired but his lifting on the day was, with 8 successes and an enormous 940kg total for Best Lifter.
Stephen Pritchard Bench Pressing 270kg on his way to a 940kg total
The sometimes neglected Bench Press Championships produced some sparks too. Simon The Likeable Close needed 185kg to take the win, 17.5kg up on his best ever. The bar went up and up, there was the tiniest wiggle and tragedy, 2 reds. But fate evened the score later, Steve Little obliging with one of his regular bombouts and Noah Hannibal, non-compis after being mugged on the Friday night, came through with 180kg. When he comes to in about a week’s time, someone will tell Noah he won and he will be overjoyed.
Simon the Likeable pushing up 185kg
Back in another special event, Intervarsity, the Club lost out again, the mysteries of the Jame scoring method shunting us down to third. Very promising (although actually representing Deakin) Small Luke Helmke took out the 75s, whilst Adam Trudgeon benched well. Paris was there in body, if not spirit, to be pipped by only 377.5kg in the 100kg class.
Luke Helmke taking the intervarsity 75kg division
Next year will be back to the future, Melbourne and Rydges again. Organizing this year’s event took its toll with Sean The Penniless and Con Barbakas lifting more weight than any competitor in super-human efforts in building things and trucking weights in and out to set-up the venue. Also David Jame, Simon The Likeable, Small Luke and others were part of the crew there till 3.30am on Saturday and all still lifted well. Practice makes perfect and we will make the meet smoother and better next year.
- Robert Wilks
You can order a professional DVD of your lifting session from John Myers. For a lifetime memory of your lifting! Order a DVD of your session at the 2010 Australian Powerlifting and Bench Press Championships. $35 per session including postage. Contact John Myers (phone: 02 6562 7628)
The 2010 Australian Championships are on!
July 20, 2010
Come and support our lifters at the 2010 Australian Powerlifting and Bench Press Championships.
Victorian Open DVD
July 6, 2010
A two hour DVD of the 2010 Victorian Open is now available to purchase on DVD (a small handful of deadlift attempts were not filmed due to power issues). The cost is $15 and all money raised will go to MUWPC. You can order your copy at training through Noah or by e-mailing muwpc@powerlifting.net.au. Get a lifetime memory of your lifts and support the club!
Michael Defies the Elements in Frigid Bondi
June 8, 2010
Michael Censori lifted in the windswept and wet Bondi Open June 6th. Michael came up with 3 bests, at 172.5, 105, 200 for a 477.5kg total before a big wind came and blew the contest away.
Michael Squatting at the Bondi Open
Michael pulling 200
Bomb Squad – Melbourne Uni at the Melbourne Open
April 15, 2010
A lucky 13 Melbourne Uni lifters took part in the Melbourne Open at new venue Hawthorn Weightlifting Centre. 3 bombed, 10 survived and some of those went down to the line with only 3rd attempt Squat successes. “Never go up after a miss” was one shibboleth finally laid to rest on 11th April 2010.
Best lifter for the Club was 100kg David Jame, hesistant after yet another long enforced lay off. 300 miss, 312.5 miss, 321 good was the result in the Squat, the third an enormous twisting, hard Australian Record, breaking Peter Kyriakos’ eternal Club and National Record.
Minhdonitis (dictionary definition “Minh induced injury financial or physical”) in the elbow kept David to a token 160kg Bench. More angst in the Deadlift, a 315kg best went up, down and up again due to a sewn suit breaking half way, Tokyo tailors are what’s real, not Bundoora thimblers.
Elsewhere in the 100kg class a new market opened up for Titan Australia. Chris Schaerf finally came good with the 207.5kg Bench Press he had threatened to do for a long time, but was short on 3 Squats, painfully close on the third, 280kg and his long-time shirt, now suit, purveyor was ecstatic in waving the tape measure for a custom special even before the red lights were off.
Down in the 82.5kg class the other Original Hard-Gainer Chris Seville also went through trauma but came out on the right side of the lights with an easy 260kg best ever Squat, before moderate benching and deadlifting left Chris 2.5kg short of his best, at a still solid 662.5kg
But further down in the 82.5kg there was even more intense action. Encino Man, revealed as having an alleged name of David Platzer, shattered his personal best and half the Hawthorn furniture with a 600kg total. Can “Dave” improve to the 650/660 needed to sneak a place at the Nationals? Does P.A.’s insurance policy cover structural building damage? These questions will be answered at Rydges Hotel on July 24th.
Meanwhile Simon the Likeable’s usual charm failed to work on the Referees on 3 very choppy Squats, but he was still well above his best on those (almost) Squats, the Bench and the Deadlift.
Outside these two hotspot classes of the 100’s and 82.5’s there were the usual psychodramas of triumph and tragedy. From the bottom up, Minh was all at sea at 67.5, the Flanagan Family improved in their second contest and bests came from bencher Greg Peiris and both of the vegetarian fraternity, Andrew Clark and Noah Hannibal. Newcomers were Andrew Kirkilis, struggling with a genetic burden (remember Joel Kirkilis?) and Wei Chui at 75kg. Malaysian Wei is the Anti-Darren (i.e. he’s poor, works hard and pays his own bills), has trained 3 times ever and aims to eventually go close to doubling his 372.5kg debut here.
Last but impossible to be least firebrand Fiore Inglese came back after 10 years and his 8th place at the World Championships, with an electrifying 727.5kg, what would have been a Masters record if all was perfect in the world. 765kg or bust is Fiore’s target now, but if it’s bust it will be a spectacular one.
And those were the Club’s most experienced and stable lifters. Look out Mannum at the Australian Juniors in May, when Melbourne Uni’s even zanier B team will be unleashed.
- Robert Wilks
Attention MUWPC Members!
February 18, 2010
Melbourne University Sport will deny access to anyone with an expired membership, even if their renewal is being processed. Those who let their membership lapse and still wish to train will have to pay casual rates ($18 PER VISIT!) until their membership renewal shows up on the system. So EVERYONE, please check at reception when your membership expires and make sure the club receives your payment and form 2 WEEKS prior to the expiry date!!!
Welcome back MUWPC members!
January 4, 2010
Happy New Year everyone! I hope all those who are mid-cycle trained well over the holidays and everyone else is fresh after a good break. Training has well and truly started again and anyone who is looking to sign up or renew their membership will find the new forms and all the details up on the website soon. We are hoping to keep the website regularly updated this year so this is the first place you should look for all club and training information. I’d also like to take this opportunity to congratulate and introduce the 2010 club committee:
President – David Jame
Vice-President – Alistair Ballie
Treasurer/Public Officer – Chris Schaerf
Secretary – Chris Seville
Head Coach – Robert Wilks
Membership Officers – Andrew Clark and Michael Censori
Student MUSA Representatives – Adam Trudgen and Michael Censori
Social Coordinator – Minh Nguyen
Web Master – Noah Hannibal
General Committee – Fiore Inglese
A special thanks also to Mike Censori for his excellent work with the drinks.
Best of luck to all in reaching your goals for 2010 and I’ll see you in the gym!
-Dave
Ripped Off In Sydney!
November 30, 2009
Melbourne Uni at the Matti Tikka Competition
A huge 2-day Matti Tikka end of year competition in Sydney from November 21-22 saw 5 Melbourne Uni lifters venture north to take on 50 other competitiors and tropical heat to record 4 personal bests and the one obligatory disaster.
Ripped off in Sydney
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