RESULTS:

BENCH:    271lbs.

    2ND PLACE 132lb WEIGHT CLASS

This year’s Bench Press World Championships took us to Ostrava, Czech Republic which is around an hour plane flight from Prague. Ostrava reminded me of the movies about true eastern block countries. Although the country is open, there is still barbed wire around the buildings and check points (that are open) along the roads. Ostrava has a very depressed economy as well, and the U.S. dollar goes a long way. This helped during the routine coaches meeting the night before the meet where a round of beers only cost $1.25. I did find something else good about the Czech Republic, I thought I had ordered a 16 once beer but soon discovered that the 16 meant 16% alcohol, which was standard for Czech beer. However that is where the comforts stopped. The rooms essentially had two padded cots for beds and a 10” television. In addition, very few people spoke English including the hotel staff. You could not drink the water or even use ice. If it wasn’t for a small Italian restaurant, with excellent food, down the street we may have starved.

This brings us to the competition. Jen’s new weight loss technique of sitting in the sauna the night before and the morning on the meet, to lose the last 6 pounds, for the 132 lb. weight class has been golden (thanks, Dennis Cieri). She remains stronger and mentally more fit then when she used to diet the weight off. I don’t think the weight will be an issue anymore.

He competition was tough and the 132 lb. weight class was certainly one of the most competitive. There were women from 16 different countries and in all 8 world record attempts were taken in the 132 lb. weight class alone. Jen started light on her first attempt, remembering the jet lag from last year, with 248 lbs. This was an easy weight and she chose 265 for her second, as did 5 other women. This is where as Jen stated it got fun. She again had no problem with265, with many of the other competitors struggling but making their attempts. After a heated discussion with the U.S. coach, a good strategic move to take 271 lbs. for a third attempt was decided. 271 looked light and was a World Record. This forced the rest of the competition to try 275 lbs. and the Russian because of body weight to try 280. If they all missed Jennifer would have the gold. I knew after the second attempts that the Russian was the only one with a chance. One at a time they missed until the Russian, who had a questionable lock out, made her lift. This gave Jen the silver medal but took away her record. She decided to take a 4th attempt to re-break the record and got 283lbs. about ¾ the way up before missing.

Jennifer was very proud of getting all 3 of her lifts and taking 2nd place in the World, especially in the face of tremendous pressure. She did also have the World record for a few minutes. The Women’s Team finished 6th only 2 points out of 3rd with Men’s team finishing a strong 3rd. We have met some good friends in these World competitions both from the U.S. as well as the rest of the World. Jennifer would like to express her thanks for the support of her U.S. teammates, as well congratulate them on their effort.

The nerves are gone; the weight loss is easy, look out! Next competition January 20, 2000 Women’s Nationals.