Bench press tournament draws largest entry yet

Photo By Sgt. Nicholas Ranum | Mary Selvidge lifts her way to become the overall best lifter for the women’s category of the open bench press tournament at the Semper Fit Gym here, March 17. Selvidge was one of three women to compete in the tournament. The gym is operated by Marine Corps Community Services.  

MARINE CORPS AIR STATION FUTENMA, AICHI, JAPAN

03.17.2012

Story by Pfc. Nicholas Ranum 

III Marine Expeditionary Force   

MARINE CORPS AIR STATION FUTENMA, Japan - Okinawan citizens participated alongside Marines and their family members in an open bench press tournament at the Semper Fit Gym here, March 17.

The tournament was one of many held throughout the year. This particular tournament drew the largest group of entries so far.

Each individual was classed according to their weight and divided into male and female divisions.

According to the International Powerlifting Federation, technical rules book, males and females have eight weight classes which are further classified by the age of the participant.

In the tournament, the IPF technical rules were modified with the bylaws of the gym to enhance the rules for the situation, said Yohandro Espinosa, a sports coordinator with the gym.

To decide the best lifter in the tournament for each weight class, the gym used the Wilks Formula which calculates the score based on the weight of the participant and the weight of their best lift.

“We use a computer program with the Wilks Formula already programed in it to compute the scores for the tournament,” said Schel. “The formula takes a coefficient based on the participant’s body weight and then uses that and the best lift to determine who lifted the best.”

The tournament winners received a towel and a trophy to take home. The overall best lifter from the male and female division won a plaque for their monumental efforts.

At the end of the tournament, the overall female bench press winner was Mary Selvidge and the overall male bench press winner was Michael Dudley.

For more information regarding bench press, and competitions, rules and upcoming tournaments, please contact your local gym or Marine Corps Community Services office.

• Date Taken: 03.17.2012
• Date Posted: 04.02.2012 20:27
• Story ID: 86146
• Location: MARINE CORPS AIR STATION FUTENMA, AICHI, JP