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View Winners → Harry Sneider Memorial Powerlifting Meet a Win-Win
Arcadia Weekly Jun 09, 2015
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Senior Games performers celebrate their gold medals for lifting in Arcadia, California. – Photo by Yolanda Cabada
The Sneider family has hosted the Senior Games Powerlifting Championships for the last 23 years. Harry Sneider won numerous world championships and, at age 61, bench-pressed a world record 450 lbs. Sarah and Rob Sneider continued Harry’s legacy by hosting the Games again this year at Sneiders Family Fitness in Arcadia. Official referee Kevin Meschew and spotters Carolyn Zorn, Loren McClurg, and Hans provided great support.
In the Women’s Division, the amazing Joyce Getzen, 86 years young from Arcadia, put up an impressive 70 lbs, winning a gold medal. Lee Brandon, Women’s two-time Long Drive Champion and creator of the Ab-Inforcer, won another gold. Arline Connelly from Pasadena, a gold medalist who has been a loyal lifter for the last 17 years, put up a very strong 95 lbs at age 68! Sarah Sneider won her 20th gold medal. And Kimberly Jones from Ventura received the Women’s Best Lifter Award with her lift of 120 lbs.
The youthful 80 year-old Gino Roncelli from Arcadia competed along with his lovely wife Bingo Roncelli; both walked away with gold medals around their necks. Robin Connelly from Pasadena won his 18th gold medal lifting over his bodyweight at age 68. From Alta Loma, Alan Haskvitz, 73, won gold lifting 160 lbs. David Conner from Shadow Hills captured the Men’s Best Lifter Award by powering up 285 lbs.
The most inspiring lifter was 68 year-old Ronnie Garcia from Newbury Park, who arrived in a wheelchair. He is blind and has an amputated leg. Ronnie lifted 120 lbs to the applause of the audience, winning a gold medal.
The California Senior Games Championships run through June 28 and you can still enter. 27 different sports will be contested at various venues including Cal Tech, the Rose Bowl Aquatics Center, and Pasadena City College. About 1,200 athletes are expected to compete. For more information contact Cynthia Rosedale at (626) 685-6754 or www.pasadenaseniorgames.org. Sarah and Rob Sneider continue to train athletes for these Games year around. You can reach them at (626) 355-8964 or harrysneider@earthlink.net. Go for it!
