The Skirmish in the 63s

Heading into the British Classic Championships, it was hard to escape the foregone conclusion that Joy Nnamani would storm the 63kg class.  Four time world champion and deadlift world record holder, Joy has dominated classic lifting in British Powerlifting for years, initially in the 52s but more lately in the 57s.  Her British record total in the 57s is 15kg higher than the British record total in the 63s so this felt like it could go only one way.  I've said on the air many times, you can't bet against Joy Nnamani.

However, these plans took a hit pretty early on.  Joy's 152.5kg squat opener looked slow but fairly typical and she went up to 165 for her second to match her best ever competition squat.  It was slow from the bottom but it accelerated as it went.  Unfortunately, it was not deep enough and turned down 2 to 1.  Surely she would leave it there with Sheffield only a week away?

Meanwhile, Melissa Hexter had sailed past with a beautiful 162.5kg for her second.  Having finally fully committed to the 63s has clearly brought some gains.  Straight after, Charlotte MacPherson made short work of 170kg and looked like there was a ton left in the tank.  Makeda Vidal was next out.  Always a technically precise lifter, she looked great with her 170kg opener but missed 177.5kg on her second for a smidge of depth.

Into the third round of squats with a fairly tight cluster at the top.  Joy looked calm as she always does.  Queen of grind, she stood the weight up for a second time but to no avail.  Reds on depth and this really opened the door for the rest.

Hexter took 170kg for a 12.5kg comp PB!  She sank it, came up strong and moved ahead of MacPherson.  But for how long? MacPherson was out next for 177.5kg.   It looked like it was going to go but it ground to a halt half way up and she couldn't finish it off.

One squat remained.  Makeda Vidal asked for a British record attempt of 183kg to be loaded.  The record was Bobbie Butters' from a brief visit to the 63s last year.  Vidal looked focussed as she walked out the weight.  Carefully into the bottom of the squat and up, up, up!  Makeda Vidal took her first British record with Bobbie Butters cheering her on from the crowd.  I love these powerlifting moments.

Hexter was always going to stride out ahead on bench.  She holds the British record at an incredible 120kg and she is the current Bench Press World Champion, having won a tight battle in Kazakhstan last year.  Her 112.5kg opener pushed her 20kg out in front but with Nnamani lurking in the shallows like a barracuda, Hexter needed to squeeze every kilo possible out of her sub-total.

Joy's second bench at 97.5kg was a grinder and surely she wouldn't come out for more?  MacPherson faltered at this point - 100kg for her second seemed to go off line and would not go to lockout even after two attempts at it.

Here comes Melissa for the record with 120.5kg on the bar.  With shaking arms, she got it to the top.  But no!  Two red card failures - both from the side referees.  Disaster - had she left too many kilos behind?  It was a tough lift - would she have anything left for her third?

Makeda quietly put up three good benches, leaving her second only to Hexter at sub-total with a big deadlift in her pocket.  Joy came out for a real grinder of a 100kg bench for her third and deserved every kilo of it - probably the slowest bench of the day.

Melissa Hexter attempted 120.5kg again and it looked even easier this time around!  Three white lights shone out and the relief dropped off Melissa as fast as the kilos went on her sub-total.  

Deadlift is the point at which everything changes.  The barracuda strikes and the deadlift specialist catapults to the front.  But could even Joy Nnamani make up a 40kg deficit?

The first of the contenders to approach the bar was Melissa Hexter with 170kg and it flew!  Tense moments though as Charl MacPherson came out onto the platform and only realised as she set up that she didn't have her belt on.  The seconds ticked down as a belt was produced and she started her pull with 3 seconds on the clock.  Luckily she pulled it easily and laughed as she left the platform.

Makeda opened with a comfortable  182.5kg and Joy then made 190kg move like an empty bar.  Interestingly, at this point, Suzanne Daniel was in second place from the B group with an impressive 457.5kg total.  Coming back from injury, her qualifying total had placed her in the lower group but clearly recovery has been strong.

With Hexter leading, she took 180kg for her second and it moved well.  Charl kept pace with 190 but it looked like she was nearing her limit.  Makeda took 195 and moved into second place with more in the tank.  Last out, Joy absolutely smoked 212.5kg to leapfrog up to third place.  It was an easy deadlift and set the scene for the end game.

Last lift for Hexter was 190kg - a massive 15kg personal best. It was a tough pull and wobbled for a split second but she got it and screamed her triumph, matching the british record total in this class with 480.5kg.  Now for the stress of the sub-totaller, waiting for the deadlifters to have their fun and hoping to hold on to the gold.

Makeda matched her best pull with 200kg, under pressure from every angle.  It was slow breaking the floor and it was slow locking out but she got it for 470.5kg and provisional second place.

After some confusion about lot numbers, Charl barrelled out onto the platform for 202.5kg but it was stuck to the floor and she couldn't improve on 5th.

Last lift of the day.  The deadlift queen sauntered out onto the platform, sharing a joke with the platform crew as she went.  Supremely relaxed, she set up for an attempt at 228kg for a new British deadlift record and to win on bodyweight.  She dipped, she pulled and she stood triumphant.  The barracuda snapped it's jaws around the trophy and Joy Nnamani won again.

Phenomenal lifting from these ladies and a really enjoyable deadlift battle.  But we do know one thing.  You should never bet against Joy Nnamani.