Orlando APF Raw and Single-Ply Nationals 2011

he American Powerlifting Federation Raw and Single-Ply Nationals on Saturday, April 30th was one of those shows I was really looking forward to covering. Well, this just wasn’t one of those events after all. It really lacked any definable character.

Highlights of the event were slim. Several APF “world records” were set in a multitude of classes, though the lifts ranged from 5-15% lighter weights than USAPL or IPF raw weights. The lack luster diatribe of the announcer of the event, combined with a rather dull and quiet audience, made the entire meet long, sleepy and underwhelming. No music, no pulse, no gusto. Many people were caught napping in the audience, most out of sheer boredom.



The American Powerlifting Federation Raw and Single-Ply Nationals on Saturday, April 30th was one of those shows I was really looking forward to covering. Well, this just wasn’t one of those events after all. It really lacked any definable character.

Highlights of the event were slim. Several APF “world records” were set in a multitude of classes, though theBrian-Schwab3 lifts ranged from 5-15% lighter weights than USAPL or IPF raw weights. The lack luster diatribe of the announcer of the event, combined with a rather dull and quiet audience, made the entire meet long, sleepy and underwhelming. No music, no pulse, no gusto. Many people were caught napping in the audience, most out of sheer boredom.

Now, powerlifting as a whole is difficult to quantify sometimes and the response the audience projected that. When there was a large man with a visually spectacularly loaded bar on the platform, people paid attention. If the attempt was from a smaller athlete with less visually stimulating weights loaded on the bar, you could hear the crickets chirp.



However, it was encouraging to see FoxSports TV providing an excellent professional production as they documented every lift. Interviews conducted by Fox Sports and RxMuscle.com will provide athletes greater exposure to them and their craft. Among the highlights:

Jennifer Petrosino pulled a very impressive deadlift of 375lbs at a bodyweight of only 120lbs. the 4’ 11” deadlifter told me that she had never lifted that much weight before, not even in the gym.

Brian Schwab continued his winning ways. Owner of Orlando Barbell Club, Brian is currently the number one ranked 165lb lifter in the APF. He had a phenomenal day by setting 4 world records with a 1471lb (534.5, 352.5, 584). Brian’s gym had a huge field of athletes competing across all age and weight classes.