Powerlifting : The TOTAL Package

Chapter 1 : Olympic Weightlifting - The Beginning When Powerlifting began, many of the West Virginia Weightlifters participated in Powerlifting meets (a.k.a. "Odd Lift" events). Within the same time period, a few members of the Charleston Barbell Club also earned recognition in Bodybuilding. A photo of Vince White appeared in the "Success Stories" section of Strength & Health magazine (January, 1963). Chapter 2 : Powerlifting "Clearly Defined" A Powerlifting event is an official Powerlifting competition if and only if all three (3) of the Powerlifts are performed by the lifters in the competition and the winners of each weight class are determined by a Total. The Total in an official Powerlifting competition is defined as a numerical sum by adding the weight lifted of the best singular attempt (pounds or kilos) in the Squat, the Bench Press, and the Deadlift. The Total weight lifted in the Squat, the Bench Press, and the Deadlift determines all of the winners in an official Powerlifting competition. Chapter 3 : Powerlifting Classification Program According to the Powerlifting Classification Program, Powerlifters fall into a multiple area of classifications determined by their Total : Professional, Elite, Master, Class I, Class II, Class III, and Class IV. Chapter 4 : Powerlifting in the 1960's Beginning in 1965, one of the most prestigious championship competitions in the history of Powerlifting began. The term "Junior" as associated with the Junior National Powerlifting competition had no meaning at all in regard to the age of the athlete, age groups, or categories." What made the Junior National Powerlifting Championship so unique was the fact that a Powerlifter could only win the Junior National Powerlifting Championship title once. Chapter 5 : 1970 - 1972 Since 1971, the minimum age for Powerlifting has been lowered to thirteen (13) in at least one (1) organization. Unlike the Junior Olympic Program that was in place during 1971 for Olympic Weightlifting, there were no age groups, categories, or sub-divisions for the sport of Powerlifting. An official AAU Powerlifting competition in 1971 had only one (1) division : the OPEN DIVISION. Chapter 6 : 1973 - The Workout Journal In order to realize success in Powerlifting, all three (3) of the Powerlifts require extensive training and continued practice, preferably in some variation for each workout. The Powerlifting routines followed by most Powerlifters of the Charleston Barbell Club included all three (3) of the Powerlifts done three (3) times each week. Training Log #1... Chapter 7 : 1974 From the section - Wild Card System In the early 1970's, Powerlifting endured much criticism regarding the length of time involved in a Powerlifting meet. Many people were of the consensus that the Powerlifting meets lasted too long. Meanwhile, there was much debate among Powerlifting's administrators to shorten the length of Powerlifting meets. Among the few innovative proposals to shorten the length of Powerlifting meets, one method was identified as the "Wild Card System." Each lifter was granted only two (2) attempts on the Squat, Bench Press, and the Deadlift. An extra attempt (called the "Wild Card") could be used on any of the three lifts at the discretion of the lifter. Chapter 8 : 1975 The "Deadlift to Win" Workout... Chapter 12 : 1978 - Part One At the age of forty-five (45) years plus, Herb Fitzsimmons was already the owner of several American and World Master's Powerlifting Records since 1976. In later years, the USPF defined Master Elite (Age 40+) Classification Standards. According to the criteria, a Total of 1791lbs. achieved minimum classification standard for an Elite Master's Total in the 275lb. class (Age 45-49). During the second half of the 1970's decade, Herb Fitzsimmons surpassed the Master's Elite Classification in both the 242lb. and 275lb. weight classes many times!" Chapter 13 : 1978 - Part Two- Passage One Beginning in November, 1977 through July, 1978 Paul Sutphin competed in eleven (11) official Powerlifting meets. From 11/77 thru 7/78, Sutphin progressed from a Class I Total in the 165lb. class to an official Elite Classification in the 148lb. class. There were no high rep schemes, no aerobic weight-training, circuit training, stop-watches, or "rep 'till you collapse" workouts. An effective plan for becoming the strongest Lightweight Powerlifter in the USA along with the goals of winning major Powerlifting championships remained in the forefront. Training Log #2... Chapter 13 : 1978 - Part Two - Passage Two In 1978, without the divisions and the various number of lifting federations of which to migrate, one either competed against the best or remained at home! For the record, there were a few of us that were not home very often." Chapter 14 : 1979 - Part One The contest was one of those events which began early in the morning and over at a late hour in the evening. In spite of the fact that we were all competitors, competing for Powerlifting championships, records, and awards, we possessed a mutual respect and admiration for our opponents and each other. We were not just lifters...we had become a family! Chapter 15 : 1979 - Part Two Over the years, a number of commentaries have been written about many of the Senior National Powerlifting Championships. My perception of the 1979 Senior Nationals may or may not compliment other published reports. A report from my perspective of what actually happened may support a theory or two of what might have been. Chapter 19 : 1984 The lifting of Don Hundley included new American Records and another Elite Total in the 165lb. class. Chapter 22 : 1986 In spite of the diversity from within the sport of Powerlifting, the leadership of West Virginia Powerlifting emphasized unity. As a result, unity prevailed in the Mountian State throughout most of the 1980's. During 1986, 1987, and 1988, West Virginia Powerlifters cohesively recognized only one (1) State Powerlifting Champion from one (1) organization for all categories. Chapter 25 : Best USA Powerlifters of the 20th Century Since the 1950's, Frank White competed in Olympic Weightlifting and became the only West Virginia Weightlifter to hold an American Record. Frank White set the Teenage American Record in the Clean & Press with a lift of 230lbs. in the 148lb. class while competing at the Teenage National Weightlifting Championships on June 17th, 1961 in York, Pennsylvania. Chapter 27 : Powerlifting in the Modern Era On March 23rd, 1986 a special award was given to Vince White on behalf of the Powerlifters of West Virginia in appreciation for the fine job he had done as the West Virginia Powerlifting Chairman since 1982. In addition to supreme leadership, the character of Vince White, synonymous to honesty and integrity, outlined the rationale for such an award.