MOUNT Gambier weight lifter Zach Doidge has claimed the honours in the inaugural Ragnarok Power Gym Novice Dead Lift Only competition on the weekend after a big 275kg lift.
Taking into account the Glossbrenner system, which calculates a weight to power ratio, Doidge scored a number of 160.338, well clear of his nearest opponent.
Doidge’s nearest competitor – second placed Jacob Breuker – lifted 225kg for a final figure of 143.763, with Shane McArthur lifting 240kg for a third place with 136.938.
Picture: THOMAS MILES
Likewise for the women, Margaret McDonald was a clear winner, with a final number of 146.751 after a 150kg lift.
Jess Wright was second with 117.158 from a 140kg lift, while Kristie Mitchell managed 113.165 from a 165kg lift.
Event organiser Carli Noble said the Glossbrenner system provides a fairer result.
While Noble said Doidge’s lift was impressive, she noted the effort of McDonald.
“Margaret is about 55 years old, so for her age she is doing pretty well,” Noble said.
“She is one of Zach’s clients and has been getting into power lifting.
“She has competed before, but that was an equal personal best for her.”
Noble said it was an intense competition, with the crowd rallying behind the lifters as they chased personal best weights.
“I think by the time you get to the third lift everyone is pretty tired, but you are going for a personal best,” she said.
Noble said she felt there was a need for such a competition in Mount Gambier, which is why the event was organised.
The support and positive feedback from both competitors and spectators suggested it was a big hit.
“We want to bring more opportunity for people to use their lifting,” she said.
“There are a lot of strong people in Mount Gambier, but there is nowhere for them to use that strength.
“We think there is a good demand for this type of event, which was shown by the amount of competitors.”
Along with big weights from the top competitors, the event saw the likes of Kristie Mitchell return to competition.
She had previously competed in her native Canada and had only returned to Australia just before the competition.
Noble said she had joined the competition for fun, then went on to finish third.
“All the girls really enjoyed it,” she said.
“I think for the women in particular it was good, because sometimes they do not think they are as strong as they are.”
Overall Noble said she was pleased with the first running of the event.
“It was our first one and we had a lot of good feedback,” she said.
“I think it ran really smoothly and people were pretty happy.
“There were a lot of personal bests and it was a good chance for people to see what they are capable of.”
