[0:03]From Providence Rhode Island of Perth, Australia, the World Powerlifting Championships, Terry Todd and Bryant Gumball. These are the sights and sounds of the World Powerlifting Championships in Perth, Australia.
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[0:55]NBC Sports World will drop down under to Perth, Australia where the strongest men in the world will match muscles in the World Powerlifting Championships. We're looking on with you at the mid-heavyweight class. And this gentleman right here, Vince Annello from Cleveland, Ohio, Terry, just might be the best mid-heavyweight in the entire world. Very individual thing, and Vince is very emotional lifters you see. Is he ever. Let's take it through very briefly what he'll have to do in the squat in order to make it a good lift. Yes, he has to take the bar off the rack and wait for the referee signal, and he has to go down so that the tops of his thighs are below parallel with the ground and then come back up and hold still before the referee signals to put the bar back on the racks. Let's watch Vinnie try to deadlift 660 pounds. Can he get it up? The bar bends but he doesn't, look at that. Piece of cake. Good lift. Very easily done. Vince Anello from Cleveland, Ohio, three out of three with the judges, three white lights. He cannot have any extra support. That's correct. Okay, we're looking at Paul Jordan. This will be his final attempt in the squat and he is going to try to go Larry Pacifico some better, he's going for 761 pounds. Remember, he failed at 755 and struggled at 694. Yes, this is I think way beyond his ability. Really unwise for him to take it. Let's watch Paul Jordan. Again, this will be a world record.
[2:20]He's going down, Oh, he's Oh, his leg, his left leg dislocated it looked.
[2:28]Complete collapse, Paul Jordan's legs gave way, he was going to pull more weight than he could handle, complete collapse, Paul Jordan. He grabbed his right leg, he's He pulled more weight than he could handle, complete collapse, Paul Jordan.
[2:39]761 pounds. Terry Todd, let's watch it again, maybe you can spot for me where he first gets in trouble. He's going to pull more weight than he could handle, complete collapse, Paul Jordan, 761 pounds. I can't tell, this is as he goes down it's hard to see what's we're watching. It looks like the right leg gives but then the left leg and then you can see him rolling over on his right ankle. Oh my goodness, he just totally he just totaled himself. Right there, it's it looks like his right ankle is in more trouble than anything else. But you're right, you could see the right leg pop out and then in and then the left leg follows. But you're right, you could see the right leg pop out and the left knee.
[3:09]That's the worst, that's the worst thing I've ever seen in all my years of lifting. I've never seen anything like that, it's hard to know just how badly he's hurt now but that's an extremely rare, rare thing. It's uh, it's tragic and uh very, very unusual. Lifting statistically is one of the safest of all sports and it's just unfortunate that Jordan has hurt his badly as he apparently must be. stretcher to the hospital so that they can see what the damage is and see if they can repair it. Incredible. Yes, it was unwise and extremely unfortunate. And look at this, look at Larry Pacifico. He is dedicating this lift to Paul Jordan and this lift will be an attempt to better his own world record. Are you ready for this one, 777 pounds? Squat number three for Larry Pacifico. Hey, it's some kind of after... Yeah, Larry, as you notice, is really quiet when he walks up to the bar. He's very, very careful as he approaches it. This lift is within his ability. You know, he was 22 pounds more than he made just a moment ago. He's definitely strong enough. He is, in light of what happened to Mr. Jordan, he surely wants this one. Watch this, he's got it off. Let's see if he can get it. 777 pounds. What happened to Jordan, you can only hold your breath. Oh, he's got to get low enough now. Yeah, he was low enough. He was low enough. He was low enough, he did get it. 777 pounds, Larry Pacifico. In my opinion, the mind is nothing but a breaker fuse for just like electricity, uh, when your body gets more than it can take, your mind shuts it off and will not let you extend yourself any further. And uh, weight lifter in my opinion, to lift the type of weights I lift, you must learn to discipline your mind in conjunction with your body. And so, having disciplined his mind and his body, Doug Young has somehow found the strength and the courage to return to the stage once again, Terry, it's an incredible story. Yeah, this is it. If he can make this lift, he'll win the World Championships again. I don't know if he'll do it. This is going to tell the tale, 711 pounds is all he needs. If he makes this lift, he'll win. They're calling out to Larry, Larry Pacifico points up the finger, number one and taps his chest. Yes, indeed. He thinks he can win. I'll tell you, in my book, even if he doesn't make the weight, he is for doing what he has done, after all of that he is. Doug Young from USA. Here is Doug Young approaching the deadlift bar set at 711 pounds. If he makes it, he will be heavyweight champion. Yeah, he's going to pay the price for this one, I know. Question in my mind is whether he's going to be able to pull it without hurting so bad that he has to drop the bar or without passing out because of the terrific loss of weight. He's got it though, look at that, he's got it. Piece of cake for Doug Young, 711 pounds. He's got it, fantastic. And he is in agony, but indeed, he is the heavyweight champion. What a champion. What an incredible success story Doug Young is. As Doug Young accepts his first place medal, he adds his name to a rather celebrated list of super strong men. This includes fable characters of ancient times like Samson and Hercules as well as modern day Paul Bunyans like John Davis, Paul Anderson and Vasiliy Alexeev. Those three join the super strong list by dominating the sport of weightlifting. Jordan in his recent heavyweight history we now explore another Olympic vignette by Bud Greenspan. Some of the strongest men in America gather in the shadow of the Wisconsin State Capital to buy for the individual weight class titles and berths on the U.S. powerlifting team which will compete in the World Championships later this year.
[6:54]Hi everybody, I'm Bob Costas at the U.S. men's Senior National Powerlifting Championships in Madison, Wisconsin. Already in this competition, we've seen several world records approached and some others broken. 114-pounder Chuck Dunbar establishes new world records in the squat and the bench press. This summer in Madison, Wisconsin, Chuck breaks his own marks. Record breaking performances again in the squat and the bench press. A year ago as a 165 pounder, Mike Bridges puts on an incredible show. Three world marks, squat, bench press and total. This summer he moves up to the 181 pound class and he needs this clutch effort on his third attempt at the squat to set himself up eventually for a total record in the 181 pound class.
[7:49]In 1979, Lamar Gant made a series of tactical errors and those mistakes cost him his chances for records and the title. But in 1980, he plays it smart and establishes a new total record for 123 pounders. But amidst the successes, there are also failures. With the temperatures pushing 100 degrees in the sweltering contest hall, Joe Bradley doesn't fare as well. He loses six pounds the evening before the competition and the man reputed to be pound for pound the strongest in the world, not only bombs out, he passes out. Powerlifting is just exactly what the title implies. It is a sport of power and strength. Technique is not at a premium here. There are three lifts, the squat, the bench press and the deadlift. Each competitor has three attempts at each. Here is Fred Hatfield now, his second lift in the squat, 370 kilos, 815 pounds. Listen to the Swedish crowd get behind this lift. Paul, he's known around the world as Dr. Squat and they're here to see it. And that's why they call him Dr. Squat. Fred Hatfield, 815 pounds. A strong talent for Joe Ladner to face. He looks very confident on the way down, he has complete control, hits the bottom and there's the drive upward. Tremendous with that much weight. And here is Joe Ladner, Fred's primary opponent in the 220 pound class. This is his bench press of 518 pounds in which he took the lead. We asked him how far he thinks he could really go. I really believe that the mind controls your strength. And as far as the weights go, as long as you don't set a limit in your mind, I don't believe your strength will have a limit. So I really don't have any any goal set. So with his bench press at 235 kilos, 518 pounds, Joe Ladner moves into the lead by 17 pounds. The weights are on the floor for the deadlift. Here's Ricky Dale Crane to explain. The deadlift is the ultimate test in powerlifting. Most people prefer the conventional style with your feet close, I prefer the Sumo style with your feet wide close to the bar. As you reach down and grab the bar, grabbing it with your hands alternately gripped to avoid slipping. As you begin to pull the lift up, not dragging the bar on the thighs and completing the lift by locking your knees, thrusting your shoulders back. The judges at that point will give you the signal to let the bar down. Here is Bill Kazmaier, his third and last attempt, 22 more pounds on the bar than the attempt he just missed. And this is his last chance for a World Championship here in Sweden. Oh, he makes her look easy.
[10:55]Now look how slow it's coming down. Paul, you going to drop it this time and he looks over at the judges to make sure that they know that he knows he said it down perfectly. Watch again here, very, very easy, but watch as he goes down, he's looking at the judges, sets it on the floor. How'd you like to have that man look at you like that? Big welcome to the 1995 World Powerlifting Championships from Pori in Finland and this is Peter Theuser from the Czech Republic.
[11:27]And this is his third attempt at 315 kilograms on the squat.
[11:37]So a happy Peter Theuser there. A successful lift for him. Once again, Yarmo Virtanen, the Finn.
[12:02]So an excellent lift.
[12:07]1335 kilograms in the deadlift, put him into second place in the class.
[12:19]So Roman is very much the deadlift, he then gets that weight up, you can slide it up the legs and that's a successful lift for him.
[12:28]So that will put him into second place overall in the under 82 and a half kilogram class.
[12:43]86 countries in the world represented at various times in World Powerlifting Championships, there's 147 competitors here in Finland from 28 different countries. Next, we will see one of the world's best squatters, if not the best, Clive Henry. He needs this lift to stay in the competition, he failed on 400 and this is his second attempt at 420 kilos.
[13:24]He even makes it look easy, good lift for Clive Henry.
[13:33]And now, from USA, Brian Siders attempting 317.5 kilos. Brian did 290 and 37.5 kilos in his first two attempts.
[13:54]Good lift for Brian Siders. 387.5 kilos. He can win this competition now.
[14:10]Good lift, overall gold medal and new overall world record for the happy Hungarian, Istvan Arvai. Now, bar is loaded to 300 kilos. So, this is this is mega.
[14:32]He's struggling to hold onto the weight. He's all heart, this guy. Oh, he's just he's all the way down, all the way, what can you say? Like a boss. This is totally unreal. Unbelievable. Young man, you have our respect. Yeah, I agree with you. Yeah, sensational. Do I go safe and get some more kilos, they're trying to ensure every kilo they can get safely. He's just going to extend, like a like a like a rubber band. Just extend the body, extend. All on to it, all on to it. He got the down. I think it's okay. Ah, yes he is, well done. He held on to it, I tell you. Yeah, welcome back to another absolutely action packed day here in Helsingborg, Sweden for the IPF 2019 World Classic Powerlifting Championships and we haven't even started yet and things are heating up. It's uh, it's a showdown between Kjelle from Norway and Taylor Atwood. Massive, massive world record. Two years ago in Minsk, Belarus, 795, won the 83 kilo World Championship, 790.5 in the 74. This is crazy, this is ridiculous and this is Taylor Atwood's world. This is for the bigger picture, possible best lifter award, Champion of Champions.
[16:10]Oh no, look at that smile. And he does. Three white lights, just a phenomenal performance. Yeah. Massive, massive world record right there. matches his total. And right now, looking at the 312 and a half, he's a fraction lighter, so this will give him the gold medal in the deadlift. He's a silver medalist, but Taylor Atwood is a new World Champion. Overall silver and a golden dead. A nice one-two. He's like one more medal before the day's over and I think he just has. Yeah, that should put it on the board. And he does. Welcome to Valletta, Malta, host city of the 2023 IPF World Championships. And this will break the world open total record, 207 kilos on the bar. A total of 557.5 kilos should she hit this.
[17:28]Oh my goodness, what a show by Carola Garra. And Li Pak is in the audience to see Carola Garra take her total world record. Carola Garra making a statement, the Queen of the 63's is back. Cali Johansson, 320 even, trying to pull from bronze, swap his bronze for gold overall. Will the junior World Champion become the open World Champion? Ryan, I believe, I believe you can do it. Is Cali the future.
[18:11]Oh, it's not a P.A.T., he misses it. And that one looks certain, that one looks certain and Cali Johansen has done it in a startling upset in the 74 kilo class. Huge win and the crowd has spilled onto the field. The strongest powerlifters in the world have all arrived in Sheffield, UK where they're going to battle it out to find out who is the true Champion of Champions. Hey Zeus chance echoing around the arena. Big brace.
[18:53]Oh, and he muscles it up. Two to one, the strongest men alive. Look at the look at her face, her eyes. We will all remember the day, 300 kilos falls. This is it. Oh, whoa. Sonita, 300 kilos got taken for a ride and the judges, three white lights and history's made in Sheffield 2024. But this should be within reach for Kaiko.
[19:30]Oh, he's locked it out. And Kaiko moves to the top. And that is why Jonathan Kaiko is Jonathan Kaiko.
[19:41]Yet again, beast against those odds.
