It’s a sunny mid 70’s day. A cool breeze is in the air. Its actually couldn’t be more perfect. Then you walk in the room and immediately put on full alert. A cloud in the air hampers your vision.
The noise, the banging, jumping, young men and women throwing things in the air and crashing them into the ground. People Screaming, moaning, grunting and cheering overloads your hearing.
Women dressing in skin tight clothing and heeled shoes taking the stage as onlookers await their performance in awe. The smell of Chipotle so thick it makes your Stomach growl. What the hell?? Chipotle, What is this some kind of odd Spanish ritual.
No, it’s was the 2008 North American Open Weightlifting Championship held right here in Chandler Arizona.
Joe Micela, the meet director www.performanceone.net, put on a great weekend at a great venue. There was some fantastic lifting and good times all around chatting with old and new friends alike. Enjoying the lifting, meeting athletes. Admiring their focus, drive, determination and discipline it has taken these men and women to get here.
As well what was very blatant to someone who spends many hours a week talking to various people about training much of which has to do with the ever so important physique was the fact that 99% of the athletes had not only a good physique but one that would be envied by most and they built that by not focusing on an outer physical transformation but by, of course, a pure concentration on making their body perform at the highest level it can at their chosen weight class.
I have to say the only downer to the whole 3 day event is the fact that as I write this I am positive that 99% of you did not attend, make an effort to attend or even look in to seeing if such a large event was taking on right here in the US under your nose.
Its sad that lack of participation from the spectators point in strength sports of any kind in this country.
Oly Lifting, Strongman, power lifting alike. Hell even track and field and more organized team sports. The majority of the crowd, even at an international event like this is primarily, friends, family, and others competitors. It sad in small third world countries they will have more spectators at a practice many times then we get at a National event in this country. It’s a travesty.
I hear it all the time people blame it on lack luster publicity by the organization or promoter, yada yada. I call bull shit. I know Joe poured his heart and soul into this meet for many months. Personally as a multitime coordinator of meets and seminars have as well and it all doesn’t lay in our hands.
We can only do so much, it our, your responsibility as a fan, or athlete of the sport to be a bit proactive as well, seek out these event. A simple google search will turn up hundreds and then you just have to dedicate the time and GO.
Go support your fellow athletes and the sports you love.
How else will they rise to what we some day hope they will, out of obscurity. Not by having the usual, everyone promising to go and then instead after the fact you all talk how you should came sorry you missed it. That’s the number one response. Get up and go people, there is some great entertainment and competition right under your nose.
Below I’ll leave you with a few compilation videos from the videos I shot of the lifters for those who didn’t attend or watch the live streaming webcast. After your done enjoying this do yourself and those who bust there butts to compete at the highest level they can in their chosen sport and do a quick search, Find some events in your area and GO attend.
Cheers, and thanks again Joe for putting on a hell of a meet. You were a gracious host and should be commended for your hard work and the success of this. I hope you bring a like meet back again.
Womens Lifting Youtube
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k2cPoKcadJ4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uo8_4E29tcM
Links to the webcasts
http://www.justin.tv/clip/e940c1f3b869624c
http://www.justin.tv/clip/2dc3a313c9f82903
http://www.justin.tv/clip/098b1518b6e2ccfb
http://www.justin.tv/clip/8a7ba733147a5380
http://www.justin.tv/clip/e6b14a5d9e8b0210
http://www.justin.tv/clip/57bca55ebfeff347
http://www.justin.tv/clip/85a9945f6ae9c70d
http://www.justin.tv/clip/884bd77bf69a7ab9
http://www.justin.tv/clip/6e94ce5fc32c9665
http://www.justin.tv/clip/bb31e575757769fa
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