A small but intrepid band of equipped lifters travelled out to South Africa recently for the World Equipped Bench Press Championships in Sun City. It's a long flight but a glorious destination to once more enter the fray of that tricksy discipline at the highest level of all.
Ella Brincat-Smith was our only sub-junior lifter. Unopposed in the 84+kg class, she had a bit of a wobble, missing her opener but she got it on the board on her second and then hit a massive PB of 87.5kg for the gold medal.
We only had one junior lifter - that was Angus Gardner in the 105s. First place was a bit out of reach this time so he ran his own race, taking the opportunity to have a crack at that big landmark number, 200kg. Not this time, but he will definitely have it soon, and he goes home with the silver medal for his 185kg press.
Masters women absolutely stormed it, all three having competed raw earlier in the week. In the M2 69s, Maureen Gordon took her fourth world title with a PB bench of 112.5kg. In the supers, Joanne Laird nailed the 135kg that eluded her at the British to bring home her first international gold and helping the team win 3rd place in the team awards. Judith McGauley, unopposed in the M4 52kg class, managed 40kg for the win.
We also had four men in the masters, again they all competed in the raw competition too.
Scott Simon was our only M1. He got a huge PB with 250kg which secured him the silver medal in the 105kg class.
In the M2s, Stuart Peskett had a rough day, only getting one lift in at 175kg and finishing 5th. Darren Ball stormed it in the 120+kg class though. He pulled out a 12.5kg PB to beat SA's John Crain to the silver medal on 50g of bodyweight. Outstanding. Stewart Cowan was in the M3 120s and had a subdued kind of day. He finished with 187.5kg for the bronze.
Dan McGauley lifted in the 59kg Special Olympics category. Dan is the veteran of many internationals now and put in a solid day's work with benches of 75kg and 82.5kg which secured him the gold medal and the world title.
Only two women in the open. Amila Dissanayake lifted at her first international in the 52kg class. She challenged hard for second place but, in the end, had to settle for third. We had a more seasoned lifter, Rachel Steedman in the 84s. With third place secure, she made a valiant effort for the silver but it was ultimately unsuccessful. Still, a podium place and a medal at this level is a great achievement.
Two men in the open as well - both in the 105kg class. Northern Ireland's Mike Gibson had a tough competition, only getting his 270kg opener and placing fifth. Joe Shaw similarly only got one in with 227.5kg and finished in 7th place.
Never forget, equipped bench is a harsh mistress and any that have the courage to go forth and do battle in a bench shirt have my ultimate respect. Great job Team GB!
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