It started Saturday, September 12, when I weighed in for my first day of competition which was Raw full power. I weighed in at 81kg/179lbs. This was a pretty easy weight cut, using a simple water cut provided by Jack Kottwitz who is a training partner here in Auburn, Alabama.

Comp day came and raw squat actually felt really good despite the result. I opened with 170kg and got it easily. Then I jumped to 182.5kg and honestly it felt like 145kg! I missed it because of depth. See, when I’m training, I wrap my own knees, so when I got to comp day my dad/coach wrapped my knees and I just couldn’t feel where I was because they were so tight (which was awesome!) Had I been thinking clearly after that second attempt I would have asked my coach to call me but, i didn’t. So same result, easy weight, no depth. Bench was okay, I would have liked to end the day with a PR of 100kg but instead ended with 95kg. Deadlift was also not the best but I ended the day with 210kg. I received the silver medal, and also placed overall with about 100 women competitors, so that was cool.

Then on September 13th I had my second weigh-in which was close to one of the toughest ones I’ve ever done. However, I made it down to 82.5kg and ate plenty for the following day. After weigh-in I had the pleasure of handling my boyfriend who totaled 940kg/2072lbs @110kg. He also revived the best lifter 🙂

Then The big day for me came on Septemeber 14, Equipped Full Power. The number of women competitors wasn’t that great, however, when I compete the only person I go head-to-head with is myself, so the name of the game was to PR. On the squat, I opened with and easy 270kg/595lbs. Then my second attempt was 287.5kg/633lbs, 3 white lights. Then on my third attempt, I went for 295kg/650lbs and lost my air about 2″ out of the hole and came forward a little bit. I think I was more happy with that result then getting 287.5! It felt really good and had I not lost my air I honestly think I would have got it! 🙂 Bench I opened at 150kg, 3 whites. Second attempt was 167.5kg and got called 2-1 for a slight ‘dip’ on my left side. Deadlift was alright as well, ended the day with 220kg.

Overall, it wasn’t the best day, but I was more than happy with squat, for sure. That 287.5kg squat moved me up to #6 on the All Time list. and 295kg would have put me at number 3 which is my next goal!

The next few days were spent helping Jimmie Pacifico on the platform and having a great time with many new and old friends in the wonderful city that never sleeps 🙂

I’ll be on the platform again next weekend in Lahti, Finland at the Bullfarm Championships at the Nordic Fitness Expo 🙂

As of full power, I’ll see you on the platform again in March at the Battle of Titans.

Thanks so much to Ano and Minna who are hands-down the greatest sponsors that a powerlifter could have. The best suppliers in the sport with the best equipment!