2019 World Classic Championships held at Helsingborg, Sweden, 3-16 June. By Martin Bass

We had 8 of our lifters competing at this year’s World’s – AMAZING!!!

• 2 Juniors: Dapo & Nathan
• 2 Seniors: Jurins & Temi
• 4 Masters: Thomas, June, Paola & Ernie

For your information, this year’s championship’s weigh-in time was at 6am – 7.30am for an 8am lift-off. Try it!

June and Ernie were up first on Day 1.

Ernie Parkes M4 -74kg

Ernie did what Ernie does, went 7/9 and finished with a 220kg deadlift to come 1st. This was Ernie’s 5th World Championships victory – 5 TIMES WORLD CHAMPION.

June Stamp M2 -47kg

June had some stiff competition, after all this is the World’s!

Missing her first 2 squats didn’t help the nerves but she got her 3rd attempt which also gained her a silver medal. A PB bench press and PB deadlift contributed to an equal PB total which placed her 4th overall. It’s not easy!

Paola Roccuzzo M1 -84kg

Paola went 7/9 with a big 172.5kg deadlift to finish and a 5th overall place in her first international. A very good performance, Paola shows very little nerves and enjoyed herself throughout.

Thomas Celestin M1 -105kg

This was Tom’s 2nd International and his training had been good. 2/3 squats with a PB 257.5kg was a good start. Tom’s bench is not the best due to an old injury so 3 easy benches and then it was deadlift time.

An easy opener of 287.5kg was followed by a 305kg second. 310kg on the bar for his 3rd and a probable medal. Tom pulled it – completed the lift but unfortunately had soft knees and received 3 reds from the refs. The one that got away! Anyway a good day for Tom, a PB squat, a PB total and a top 10 finish!

Nathan Winsala Jnr -74kg

Young Nathan ia a real talent. A huge PB squat of 257.5kg was followed by a PB bench of 137.5kg. 2 deadlifts finishing on 275kg but missing 285kg gave him a massive 670kg PB total, 4th place finish and a bronze medal for his squat.

Adedapo Ojewale Jnr -93kg

Dapo was looking for something big in his deadlift and his training had been going well. 3 squats 240/250/255 was a good start. He missed his opener on the bench, got it on his second then finished on 160kg. Deadlift time! 305kg for an easy opener – except he rushed it and missed the lift. He took it again for his second attempt, a good lift so let’s move on. Missing his opener changed things as he only had one more attempt left. Anyway, we put in 330kg and waited for all the other lifters to finish. 330kg stayed on the bar to give Dapo the opportunity to pull for 2nd place overall. A good effort but just too much on the day. (Lessons learnt!) A silver medal in the deadlift was Dapo’s reward but he was very disappointed with himself for a while. The big total is in there and COMING SOOOON!

Jurins Kengamu Snr -83kg

Jurins is a very, very strong 83kg lifter. 3 good squats with a massive 272.5kg PB third. 2/3 benches set him up for a big total. A 285kg opener on the deadlift was followed 300kg. 305kg for his third was just missed. A PB squat and a PB total of 727.5kg gave him a very good day!

Temitope Nuga Snr -84kg

This was Temi’s first international after her win at this year’s British. Her bodyweight was down from 85kg to just 80kg so we would see how she looked. 2/3 squats, 172.5/177.5kg missing 182.5kg was a good start. 3 comfortable benches 90/92.5/95kg adding to her Total. Temi is a good deadlifter so we would have to see what she might need to pull to, maybe, get a medal. A comfortable 205kg opener was followed by 217.5kg. 227.5kg was needed for a medal. 227.5kg was pulled for a bronze medal, British and European Records. A PB total, PB deadlift and a medal at Temi’s first international – FANTASTIC!