4th Fazaa International Powerlifting Competition - Dubai
Well, I've been back from my last qualifying competition in Dubai for a week. It was the last qualifier before the GB team for London 2012 was to be selected. I went out there needing to be within the top 10 in the world, and to lift 140kg at a bodyweight of less than 47.10kg. That was the weight lifted by my team mate Anthony Peddle about a year ago, and which currently put him in 1oth place in World rankings.
I had never lifted 140kg in the gym, let alone in competition in front of 3 International referees. But I was fired up, determined, and the best physical shape I have ever been. There were so many lifters, from all round the world, all trying to improve on their rankings, that the 48kg bodyweight class had to be held in 2 groups, or 'flights',. I was in the 'B' flight with about 11 other lifters. I got my 1st lift of 134kg, then went for 137kg and got that. That was a competition PB for me. Then for my last lift I went for 140kg. My bodyweight was 47kg. Spot on! The 140kg went up and it was judged to be a good lift. This was another PB and I was ecstatic. After all the athletes in this flight had lifted I realised I had beaten every other lifter in 'B' flight, and I was 10th in the world. Then 'A' flight lifted. My old team mate was in this and he managed to put up a fantastic 145kg.
So he probably goes to London 2012. I don't.
So mixed emotions really. I achieved what I set out to achieve - and I'm sure I would have done better if I hadn't had the broken wrist last April. I reckon that put me back about 8 months. It just wasn't to be this time round.
However, although I feel I have let down my friends and supporters and Team Essex Ambassadors I am determined to improve. I should be at my best in 4 year's time, and before then, in 2014, there will be the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. So, roll on Rio!
I had never lifted 140kg in the gym, let alone in competition in front of 3 International referees. But I was fired up, determined, and the best physical shape I have ever been. There were so many lifters, from all round the world, all trying to improve on their rankings, that the 48kg bodyweight class had to be held in 2 groups, or 'flights',. I was in the 'B' flight with about 11 other lifters. I got my 1st lift of 134kg, then went for 137kg and got that. That was a competition PB for me. Then for my last lift I went for 140kg. My bodyweight was 47kg. Spot on! The 140kg went up and it was judged to be a good lift. This was another PB and I was ecstatic. After all the athletes in this flight had lifted I realised I had beaten every other lifter in 'B' flight, and I was 10th in the world. Then 'A' flight lifted. My old team mate was in this and he managed to put up a fantastic 145kg.
So he probably goes to London 2012. I don't.
So mixed emotions really. I achieved what I set out to achieve - and I'm sure I would have done better if I hadn't had the broken wrist last April. I reckon that put me back about 8 months. It just wasn't to be this time round.
However, although I feel I have let down my friends and supporters and Team Essex Ambassadors I am determined to improve. I should be at my best in 4 year's time, and before then, in 2014, there will be the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. So, roll on Rio!
posted by Adam Alderman at
03:20
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