YMCA, Valhalla, Norsemen partner for Strong Kids Campaign

The YMCA of North Bay, in partnership with the Valhalla Powerlifting Club and the Norsemen & Valkyries Weightlifting Team, is set to host the 2016 Jan Shulman Deadlift Challenge this Sunday, November 27. The deadlift-only challenge is open to both novice and veteran athletes ages 14 years and older who would like to test their maximum lift in a controlled setting with qualified officials. Entry fee for the event is $20 per person with proceeds supporting the YMCA Strong Kids Campaign.

Jan Shulman, a gold medal winner at the International Powerlifting Federation’s World Championship, is the event’s honorary chairperson. Shulman lifted in the Master 4 Age Category (70 years plus) and won the female 52 kilo (114lb) division. Jan set a new world record in the deadlift with a mark of 93 kilos (205 lbs).

The deadlift is the most basic movement in powerlifting. It calls for the competitor to lift a barbell from the floor until the torso is straight up with the shoulders pulled back. Most of the force is generated by the combined effort of the legs and back. In competition, athletes go through a warm-up process and are given a set series of attempts on the contest platform under the scrutiny of three accredited officials.

In this particular deadlift challenge, all participants will be allowed four attempts. There will be two platforms set up and participants will be helped to prepare by qualified coaches. At the close of the event, all lifters will receive a certificate with their best lift recorded and their Wilks’ score calculated. The Wilks score is a kilo-for-kilo rating used to compare athletes of different body weights.

On the event day, there will be two wide groupings for participants – Novices and Veterans. A veteran is anyone who has previously entered a sanctioned powerlifting or weightlifting contest. A novice is any first-time lifter. Males and females will then be divided according to age into the following categories: Youth (14 to 17 years), Open (18 to 39 years) and Masters (40 years and over).

Athletes looking to register can visit the YMCA, 186 Chippewa Street West or online at www.ymcanorthbay.com/deadlift.