Beckwith's Gym had 4 members competing in this year's WABDL World Championship's in Anaheim, CA namely; John Mokma, Josh Decker, Jim 'Thunder' Casemier, and Ron L'Huillier.

Ron L'Huillier would compete first and he would do so in the Bench Press. He competed in the 259 lb weight class of the M47-53 division.

Ron opened up with an easy 370 lbs. His real goal however was the 259 MI State BP record which was at 419 lbs. (Ron lost the record in July at the Lansing WABDL meet). Ron went 425 on second attempt and it exploded to lockout for 3 whites and a new State Record. On third attempt Ron attempted to push the record out a little further in hopes of holding onto it for a while longer this time around. He called for 452, which would also be a 33 lb. PR over his last meet! With an expert handoff from Wayne Prose Ron brought the weight down to his chest for a touch touch. Gus gave the press command and Ron locked it out with litte struggle, and thus went 3 for 3 in the bench! Nobody was happier (and more surprised) at this huge PR BP than Ron)!

The deadlift would be a different story for Ron. He came to CA to hit his first ever 600 DL, which he felt confident he could get. He opened with an easy 518 and then went right to 600 for second attempt. The weight exploded to his knees, slowed a bit and then started up toward lockout, but just past his knees Ron lost his grip and the weight came crashing down. Ron tried the same weight for a third attempt and actually pulled the weight a bit further, but again he lost his grip. A tough way to lose a lift to be sure, but Ron is already taking steps to be sure he never loses another deadlift because of a grip problem again. Still, because of several bombs, and an uncharacteristically weak 259 M47-53 division this year he still got a first place. Embrarrassed a bit Ron chose not to take a trophy. Somehow a first place at WABDL Worlds with just a 520 DL did not seem right to Ron.

It was Josh Decker's turn next for a shot at the 198 lb open class World Bench Press title! Josh opened with a PR 496 which was steady, but not fast. He then called for a 512 for second attempt but it stalled at lockout. With the help of John Hudson we cranked his Katana and went up to 518 for a third attempt and a shot at a World title. If he missed he would take second place. Josh's set up was great, he struggled thru a tough touch, got the press command and with the heart of a champion he locked it out to three whites and became the 2007 WABDL World Champion in the 198 lb. Open BP (this was just a taste of what yet was to come for Josh).

Jim 'Thunder' Casemier was the next to lift. Jim came to get a PR deadlift. He competed in the 242 lb weight class in the M40-46 division. He opened with 600.7 which was a smoke show as expected. Jim then went to 650 for his second attempt and got it with room to spare, but said later he had gotten it easier in training. Jim wanted a PR so he went 677 with small chips (678) for a third attempt but it was just a bit to much this day. Still Jim took a second place trophy at WABDL Worlds. Jim had a great day although was disappointed with not hitting a PR! But Beckwith's Gym was making its mark on WABDL Worlds early!

Then it was Josh Decker's turn to deadlift. He opened with an easy 650, then went right to 683 for the outright win. 683 turned out to be no match for Josh and he earned yet another title of WABDL World Champ, this time in the Deadlift at 198 Open. Josh was still after a huge PR though and actually locked out a massive 716 on his 3rd attempt, however just prior to the down command he lost his grip and dropped the weight. But what a day for Josh, and yet another Beckwith lifter who made his mark at WABDL World's!

Last to lift was John Mokma, who would be competing in the Junior division of the 198 lb weight class. John is one of my favorite lifters. He is coachable, and a very likable young man. John has a body type more fitted to basketball than powerlifting, but thru much determination and dedication he learned the sumo style of deadlifting, and has basically been defying the laws of gravity for his body type ever since. John opened with an easy 425, then attempted an all time PR of 468 on his second attempt. The lift earned 3 whites and John got a PR for the second meet in a row. For third attempt John attempted a 502 which he got passed his knees, but then lost his balance and fell backwards. Still a darn good day for John. He finsished in 7th place.

Wayne Benches Close to 600 @ 220!!