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Results Full results of the contest can be found on the NAPF Website in PDF format, at these links:
The 4th IPF/NAPF North American Congress and Powerlifting Championships took place on June 14-17, 2006, in Dorado, Puerto Rico. Overall, 62 lifters, from 12 countries throughout North and Central America as well as the Caribbean Island Region took part and attended this year’s championship. Making their international debut were Aruba and the Virgin Islands, which are new and emerging IPF member federations. Even despite this being their first IPF experience they were quite successful under the coaching and direction of Robert Massey, president of the VI PL Federation. Overall the contest was a huge success, even despite the VISA restrictions that some of the federations encountered coming to PR. This year’s championships was directed by the Puerto Rico Powerlifting Federation, under the direction of Mr. Nestor Gregory, and the city of Dorado. They did not disappoint and were very well prepared and directed a well organized event. Compliments and special thanks should be paid to Mr. Carlos Lopez, the honorable mayor of Dorado for his kind and generous support of this championship. Without question, the mayor and his staff made things happen and would not have successful without them! Highlights of the championship included Priscilla Ribic’s world record deadlift of 250kg that was made on a fourth attempt and Brad Gillingham’s 40+ world masters record in the total! Both Priscilla and Brad took the overall champion of champion awards. Our sincere congratulations to both Priscilla and Brad! The Embassy Suites resort in Dorado served as the championship hotel and was exceptional. Located directly on the beach, the hotel offered numerous complimentary services [their free two hour happy hour was a notable hit] and spectacular view of the ocean was breathtaking. The contest venue was the revitalized Hernandez Musical Theatre in the center of town, which was literally finished the day prior to the start of the contest. The farewell and closing banquet took place on Saturday evening at city hall in the center of town. The banquet was provided to the lifters at no cost. The banquet was followed by a parade in the center of town in celebration of the fiesta, which took place adjacent to venue all week. On an interesting note, all of the referees were paid a daily financial stipend as well as lunch each day to offset their expenses. By doing this, there was never a shortage of manpower and everyone working the championship showed for their assignments on time with no absences for sightseeing. This is definitely something the IPF can learn from and would urge them to incorporate this into all of their world championship formats in the future. At this championship, of the 62 participants taking part, 15 were drugtested via the IOC/WADA requirements = 24% of the competitors. On a final note, I would like to take this opportunity to thank the City of Dorado, the Puerto Rico Olympic Committee, Ivanko Barbell, ER Equipment, Titan Support Systems, Inzer Advance Design, Lea Hendrix, as well as all of the coaches, athletes, officials, friends and family members that supported this event. Folks, without their support the event would not have been the success that it was! It is greatly appreciated and many thanks. I hope that you enjoyed your stay in Dorado! See you next year in Guatemala ~ Robert Keller Contest Report By Aaron Wellborn This year's North American Regional Championships was directed by Nestor Gregory and held in Dorado, Puerto Rico at the Hernandez Music Theatre. Dorado is a coastal town of approximately 35,000 and is called "La Ciudad Ejemplar," or "The Exemplary City." The coaching team consisted of James Townsend and Jim Hart whom led the Women's Team to a first place finish, and a relatively shallow (4 lifters) Men's Team to a solid second place finish. This is the second year in a row that the Women have taken first and the Men have taken second. Monica Johnson kicked off the event for Team USA with a Silver Medal in the 44K class. She ended the day with a 235K total on a 7 for 9 day. Vanessa Baldwin also brought home a Silver Medal in the 48K class. She posted a 272.5K total with a 7 for 9 day. Katie Van Dusen heated things up in the 52K class with a 9 for 9 day, posting a 375K total which included a solid 150K squat. Katie not only earned a Gold in her weight class, but posted the highest Wilks Total of the session and also won the Junior Class comfortably which was 16 lifters deep. Janel Brown had a solid day, going 8 for 9 posting a 365K total including a nice 150K pull which led her to a Gold Medal in the 56K class. Jennifer Perry brought a strong performance posting a 412.5K total in the 60K class on a 6 for 9 day which included an easy 100K bench. This led her comfortably to a Gold Medal. Representing Team USA in the 67.5K class were Priscilla Ribic and Donna Marts. It came as no surprise that Priscilla Ribic brought home the Gold in the 67.5K class and Best Lifter award. She got off to a rough start with some pretty controversial calls on her first and third squats, but got in a 222.5K that was effortless. Priscilla pulled it together heading into the bench, and really started to build momentum as she proceeded to pull a world record 250K that was a strong, fast lift. She posted a 607.5K total on a 6 for 9 day. Bringing home a solid Silver Medal performance in the 67.5K class was Donna Marts. Donna posted a respectable 365K total on a rough 4 for 9 day in her first International competition. Leading the charge in the 75K class were USA's Liane Blyn and Jane Larsen-Welborn. Liane Blyn demonstrated her trademark brute strength in posting a 570K total on a 7 for 9 day which included a strong 222.5K squat. This propelled her to an easy Gold Medal and the second highest Wilks total of the session. Bringing home a well executed Silver Medal Performance was Jane Larsen-Welborn. She had an 8 for 9 day which yielded a 422.5K total at her first International Competition. Malinda Baum helped wrap things up on a strong note with a 435K total leading her to a Gold Medal in the 82.5K class on a 7 for 9 day. The following day brought the Men's team which consisted of Jim Brown, Jim Hart, Chris Calvano and Brad Gillingham. In the 90K class, Jim Brown looked strong in a battle that came down to the last pull. Brown pulled a solid 240K for the Gold on a 9 for 9 day which resulted in a 717.5K total. Jim Hart had a solid 7 for 9 day in the 100K class posting a 515K total which earned him 4th place. Chris Calvano posted a 582.5K total on a 6 for 9 day which earned him a Bronze medal in the 110K class. Bringing the event to a close was Brad Gillingham. Brad won the SHW class, took best lifter, and posted a World Record Masters Total. He called for a huge 392.5K pull to end the day. The intensity in the crowd was amazing. Brad broke the floor pretty easily but stalled just above his knees. Brad ended the day 8 for 9 with a big 1017.5K total. The hospitality and enthusiasm showed for the sport, in particular on behalf of the mayor of Dorado, painted a very encouraging picture for Powerlifting in the region. Next year's event is to be held in Guatemala and should be a great event. 
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Contest Photos
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