Arcadia Senior Powerlifter Presses 285 Pounds

Happy Senior Powerlifters enjoy winning their beautiful medals. – Courtesy photo / Yolanda Cabana

The 26th Annual Pasadena Senior Games Powerlifting Championships in Arcadia was covered by ABC7 News on their evening news. There were some amazing lifters including 86-year-old George Barry from Ventura who bench-pressed 130 pounds. It was 20 pounds more than he lifted last year when he was 85. Winning the Harry Sneider Women’s Best Lifter Trophy was Ruth Saenz from Rosemead with a very inspiring 75-pound bench press in the lightweight division at age 89.

Another amazing lifter was Jack Lynch from Arcadia. At age 75, Lynch pressed up 285 pounds, nearly 100 pounds over his bodyweight to win the Harry Sneider Men’s Best Lifter Trophy. Longtime great lifter and last year’s trophy winner Pete Antoine, 73, from Beaumont put up an impressive 285 pounds also, close to 100 pounds over his bodyweight. There were many outstanding lifters and complete results of the meet are available at pasadenaseniorcenter.org.

World Long Drive champion Lee Brandon pressed up 135 pounds in the women’s heavyweight division. Brandon brought with her Phillis Meti from New Zealand. Meti is a two-time World Long Drive champion with a world record of 406 yards; that’s well over three football fields. Look for her on the Golf Channel when she competes in the 2018 World Long Drive Championships in Thackerville, Okla. over Labor Day weekend.

Robin and Arline Connelly, a loyal couple in their 70s, have medaled for 18 consecutive years at the Senior Games Powerlifting Competitions. Newcomer Judy Scheidhauser bench-pressed an impressive 115 pounds in the 132-pound class at age 56. United States Powerlifting Association official referee Kevin Meskew made sure the weights were lifted correctly, and spotter Carolyn Zorn was invaluable.

The Pasadena Senior Games are open to anyone over 50 years old. There are 26 different sports including basketball, bowling, cycling, golf, pickleball, softball, swimming, table tennis, track and field, volleyball, and more. The Games continue through July 15. For more information, go to pasadenaseniorcenter.org. They are a fun way to get and stay fit and you will meet some amazing, inspiring people. This is not for elite athletes only, but for everyday people who enjoy exercise and sports.

Here are seven keys to winning a medal in the Senior Games:

1. Select a Senior Games sport you enjoy.
2. Set a goal to compete in the next year’s Games.
3. Train regularly; consistency is the key to success.
4. Eat healthy foods.
5. Get seven to eight hours of sleep each night.
6. Think positive and believe you can.
7. You’re on your way to winning a medal in the Pasadena Senior Games!

The Sneiders prepare athletes for competition throughout the year. Give them a call at (626) 355-8964 or email harrysneider@earthlink.net.