GNC Pro-Perf INV. Benchpress
10-Nov-01
New York, New York
BW Class Age Bench
John Corsello 148 Open 280
James Benemerito 181 Open 405
Dennis Cieri 198 Open 525
Bill Phillips 220 Open 405
Dane Robinson 242 Open 480
Charlie Neal 242 Open 435
Lou Saviano 242 Open 0
Brad Klinger 275 Open 535
Fred Dini SHW Open 530
Dennis Huslander SHW Open 540

 

The "GNC Pro Performance Invitational Bench Press Meet" held in New York City's Chelsea Pier No. 60 on November 10, 2001 was a first in many positive ways for Power Lifting in general & USAPL in particular. The folks at GNC are interested in getting into supporting USAPL, power lifting and willingly foot the bill for this festival like event. GNC put up the drug test and prize monies. The event was sanctioned by the International Powerlifting Federation & marked the first in many years (probably about 20 years) that an IPF sanction had been granted in the USA. The event was held in conjunction with a professional arm wrestling event and was taped for television by the FOX Sports Network. So those of you who have FOX Sports Network, MSG channel or other related stations keep you eyes open for some advertised arm wrestling to get a glimpse of the event on television. Clearly, this event with IPF sanctioning in the USA, GNC Sponsorship & television coverage is a positive step for USAPL & the sport of power lifting. Let's hope more events like this are to follow.

I mentioned prize money. All lifters were competing with one another for placing based on their Wilkes formula score. The first place winner received $500, second place received $300 and third place received $200. As the meet was put together on rather short notice & not that long after the tragedy at the World Trade Center, the focus was on getting at least 10 quality USAPL lifters from the nearby states so the individuals wouldn't have to negotiate air travel/expenses, etc. I was very lucky in that almost everyone I contacted first time around agreed to participate. Several had lifted at USAPL BP Nationals or other meets several weeks earlier, one was training for IPF BP Worlds, another had just been put on the IPF World Men's team and the majority of the lifters had some kind of IPF experience.

At the competition, all ten lifters demonstrated that they were true sportsmen adapting easily to the festival like setting & conducting themselves in a way that should make all power lifters proud. John Corsello weighing but 134 went for 3 for 3 finishing off a solid (could have done more) 280 lb. press. 63-year-old Bill Phillips went for 3 for 3 finishing off with a fine 405 lb. bench at a bodyweight of 204 lbs. Charlie Neal and James Benemerito looked strong and went 2 for 3 finishing with 435 lbs. and 405 lbs. respectively. Lou Saviano, who had just lifted in a meet the week or so earlier, was unable to complete a 490 lb. press on any of his three attempts. Dane Robinson, who is always ready to lift, made a solid 480 lb. and was near with 500lbs. The top three lifters were 1st place Dennis Cieri (525 lbs @ 198 lbs. bw.), 2nd place Brad Klinger (535 lbs @ 270 lbs. bw.) & 3rd place Fred Dini (530 lbs. @ 282lbs. bw.) all went 3 for 3. 327 lb. Dennis "Niko" Huslander, who ended up in 4th place by 1 Wilkes point, took a shot at a 565lb. bench that would have moved him into 2nd place.

The crowd, mostly arm wrestlers and fans, seemed to really enjoy the event and asked many questions about the equipment we use, drug testing, etc. The crowd was very supportive of all the lifters with the two Dennis's getting them really worked up & cheering. Several of the lifters were interviewed by Fox Sports.

Thanks to the officials: Beth Grater, Linda Jo Belsito & Ray Benemerito.

Thanks also go out to the loaders & spotters: Fran Arcibal, John Rivano & Andy White.

Larry Maile deserves a lot of the credit for his working so hard on making the GNC connections & the IPF arrangements. Abbey Naylor & Matt Ciesluk of Alan Taylor Communications were great to work with & seemed to be very concerned with making this a positive experience for all the competitors.

I'd also like to thank Craig Safran, Charlie Schroeder, Steve Mann, Jeff Walker, Donna Vincent, etc., for making me feel safe enough to leave the NJ State Power lifting Championships in their capable hands to make this happen in NYC.

Bill Clayton