Power Lifting Competition

World Drug Free Powerlifting Association, (WDFPA) Single Lift Championships Rouen France 2022

Scribe: Sgt Rob Davies

242.5kg putting himself in the lead. It was at this point the game had started, Cpl Millins had originally chosen his third lift to be 242.5kg, but upon seeing that Jay had raised his lift to 245kg he matched it. Jay knowing that if Cpl Millins could get that he would win on body weight, upped his third lift to 247.5kg leaving Cpl Millins to secure second place with two very strong but difficult third lifts. The final result for Cpl Millins was 2nd place squatting 245kg, a new personal best for him.

After attending the British Drug Free Powerlifting Association’s (BDFPA) Single Lift National Championships, Cpl Simon Millins (QRH LAD) and SSgt Mitchum Swiggs (26 RE LAD) qualified for the WDFPA Single Lift Championships. Cpl Millins competing in the U100kg achieved 2nd place in squats, squatting a solid 240kg. SSgt Swiggs, competing in the U82.5kg category secured himself 2nd place in bench with a strong 135Kg and 3rd Place in deadlift lifting a staggering 205kg.

On arriving at the WDFPA in Rouen it was clear that the competition was strong with huge attendance.

Day 2 - Bench

Day 2 there were 129 people benching with 1 European and 17 world records broken across all weight and age categories.

SSgt Swiggs opened his bench with a 130kg press which moved very comfortably for him, which confirmed his three white lights with ease. After the first round it was clear he was up against some strong competition. Trying to keep up with his competitors he went with 135kg for his second lift and smashed it. Looking at the competition SSgt Swiggs knew he had to up the game, so for his final lift he chose to go up by 7.5kg to 142.5kg (A new personal best), it moved so smoothly and he secured himself 3rd place.

Day 1 - Squats Day 3 - Deadlift

On Day One, there were 79 people squatting with an amazing 21 world records beaten across all weight and age categories.

Opening on 230kg Cpl Millins got the three whites with ease. From the beginning it was clear he had one strong competitor in Jermaine Major from Bristol who also opened at opened at 230kg getting a good lift. Cpl Millins chose 240kg for his second lift once again achieving this easily. Jay upped the ante by raising his second lift to Day 3 there were 124 people deadlifting with 2 European and 16 World records beaten across all weight and age categories.

SSgt Swiggs’ first lift was a nice and easy number he knew he could get to put some numbers on the board, 195kg. Stepping it up a little SSgt Swiggs added 15kg for his second lift and it moved so smoothly. After looking at the board ‘Mitch’ decided to push even harder to secure himself 3rd place and for his final lifted he went for 232.5kg to beat Benjamin Cannessant from France. It was a hard grind and you could see on his face he wanted it but unfortunately, he just could not get it up. Subsequently after failing his third lift SSgt Swiggs placed 8th. The weekend was amazing, the atmosphere outstanding and the sportsmanship was beautiful. All lifters were helpful and supportive of their teammates and even their competitors. To top off the outstanding weekend full of lifting with the great effort from all the British lifters, Britain took second place overall country closely following the host nation France.