Friendly weightlifting competition brings Iraqis, American Soldiers together

Photo By Sgt. Dustin Roberts | Lt. Col. Monty Willoughby, commander, 4th Squadron, 10th Cavalry Regiment, operationally attached to the 2nd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, Multi-National Division – Baghdad, poses with award winners after a friendly weightlifting competition at Joint Security Station Adl Dec. 28. The competition was to build on the relationship between coalition forces and the citizens of the Mansour and Ghazaliya Districts of northwest Baghdad.  

BAGHDAD, IRAQ

12.30.2008

Story by Sgt. Dustin Roberts 

2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division Public Affairs

By Spc. Dustin Roberts
2nd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division

BAGHDAD, Iraq – In a competition of brute and brawn, Iraqi bodybuilders and Multi-National Division – Baghdad Soldiers showed off their weightlifting skills at Joint Security Station Adl in the Mansour District of northwest Baghdad Dec. 28.

The friendly contest was intended to build a rapport with the weightlifting local nationals from the Ghazaliya and Mansour Districts and enhance the relationship between coalition forces and the local community.

"We invited them to come lift weights with us to try and build a bond with them," said 1st Sgt. Kevin Miller, a native of Detroit, assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Troop, 4th Squadron, 10th Cavalry Regiment, operationally attached the 2nd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division. "To me, it is important to get with the local populace; we are a part of their neighborhood."

Troopers from both the 5th Squadron, 4th Cavalry Regiment, and the 4th Sqdn., 10th Cav. Regt., 2nd HBCT, 1st Inf. Div., and 10 local guests from the Adl Sports Club, which is next door to JSS Adl, competed in the competition, making the JSS Adl weight room a full house.

The competition consisted of three different events: bench press, dead lift and power squat. Each competitor was given the opportunity to lift as much weight as possible between the three events to build a final score.

For one Soldier, competing in the competition it was more about rekindling an old memory than winning a prize.

"I was definitely impressed with the physique the Iraqi bodybuilders were able to obtain; overall, they had good symmetry," said. Pfc. Michael DeMello, a former professional power lifter from Southington, Conn., who serves with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2nd HBCT. "With my past involvement in the sport of power lifting it brought back a lot of memories and gave me a little touch of home."

Miller said the session was good for the Soldiers because it put their minds at ease for a little while.

"An event like this benefits the Soldiers because they work 24/7," he said. "This helps with esprit de corps with each other; it builds teamwork and allows them to show the hard work they've done in the gym."

Omer Reid, former Iraqi and Arabic body building champion, also showcased his knowledge of muscular endurance by providing a body building poising demonstration. During the demonstration, Soldiers, alongside their Iraqi counterparts, flexed their muscles to see who had the build of a champion.

"I think it was great that a lot of people showed up," said Miller. "We had a guy lift 1,335 pounds in the three events. He's a monster, and I thought the event went great."

Ahmed Atiea Hasin, chief, Adl Sports Center, also attended the event and said he was very impressed.

"I am thankful for the event and I am calling for future good relations," Hasin said. "I would like to have more events with coalition forces."

• Date Taken: 12.30.2008
• Date Posted: 12.30.2008 05:18
• Story ID: 28271
• Location: BAGHDAD, IQ