2009 R.A.W. UNITED UPF CHALLENGE
Universal Power & Fitness Gym * Orlando, Florida * Saturday, August 1
God is Good!
Great lifting and outstanding sportsmanship was evident throughout the day at the UPF Challenge in Orlando,
Florida! But before we begin, please say a prayer for the fallen, their families, and those currently serving in
harm’s way defending the freedoms we cherish as Americans.
Three ladies competed in the meet, with Jan Montgomery nailing a 130 bench and 275 deadlift in the 165s. Jan
recently entered the 50-54 year old age group, and is receiving AARP brochures daily! UPF lifters Diane Souder
(65-69) and Andrea Drake (70-74) competed for the first time, proving that it’s never too late to move heavy iron!
The ladies are planning to join the UPF squad at the 2009 Nationals in December.
In the men’s division, IRONMAN competitor Rolando “Rollo” Manso of Altamonte Springs was flawless on the
platform, going 9 for 9 to total over eight times his bodyweight in the 165s! Rollo’s 1285 total was not only good
enough to win his weight class, it also secured him Best Lifter honors. Daniel Tinajero of Orlando Barbell and
RAW Unity promoter Eric Talmant battled it out in the 181s, with Daniel edging Eric out for first place by just 15
pounds. Eric, however, weighed in at 171 pounds, affording him Best Lifter honors in the RAW division. Both
Daniel and Eric’s lifts were recently featured on Powerlifting Watch (www.powerliftingwatch.com) and received
very positive feedback. Ryan Dyson, lifting with the federation for the first time, traveled from Claxton, Georgia
and made his mom proud, finishing first in his class. UPF owner and host Zied Hichri (220s) and his training
partner Michael Francis (275s), who are both currently training for the 2009 R.A.W. United Nationals, lifted
effortlessly totaling 1645 and 1870 respectively. Ted Langlais and Larry “The Bionic Man” Bucchioni led the
grandmaster’s charge, setting records across the board in their respective classes. Finally, Shawn O’Grady of
Satellite Beach, Florida captured Best Lifter honors in the Push/Pull, with lifts of 315 and 380 in the submaster’s
148s.
Special thanks to Zied Hichri for hosting the meet; Zied, Michael Francis, and James Najar for helping set up; Jeff
Sevor for the ratchet set that saved the day; Caryn Tshontikidis and Tom Harrell for officiating; Steve Ferris,
Robby Hawkins, and Yanni Tshontikidis for spotting and loading; Mike Roebuck of Good Impressions for the
certificates; Sir Charles Venturella for the customized plaques; and Zied, Michael, James, Steve, Robby, Yanni
and everyone else for helping to set the gym back up when we were done!
More thanks to all the lifters for their support of the federation - as a result, we sent awards to Iraq this week for
U.S. Army SGT Shawn Casey’s second meet (Q-West 2, Qaayarah Air Field, August 15) this year!
Finally, thanks to the brave men and women of our Armed Forces and their family’s for their selfless sacrifice in
defense of our freedom! May God bless each of you! And to Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, for making it all
possible!
God Bless, Spero
Women:
132
65-69
70-74
Diane Souder (R)
Andrea Drake (R)
-
-
150
135
-
165
50-54
Jan Montgomery (R)
-
130
275
405
Men:
132
20-24
Lance Feldman (R)
-
200
395
595
148
16-17
35-39
Kevin Serrano (R)
Shawn O’Grady (BL/BD)
305
-
235
315
420
380
960
695
165
35-39
Rolando Manso (BL/I)
465
315
505
1285
181
20-24
35-39
25-29
25-29
Daniel Tinajero (R)
Eric Talmant (BL/R)
Chris McNichols (I)
James Najar (I)
465
485
385
330
400
275
385
215
535
625
465
425
1400
1385
1235
930
198
20-24
30-34
40-44
50-54
25-29
65-69
65-69
Ryan Dyson (R)
Daniel Picquet (R)
Tim O’Brien (R)
Greg Godwin (R)
Jason Lopez (R)
Ted Langlais (I)
Paul Colletti
525
400
430
400
340
300
-
365
320
315
255
235
235
265
550
500
455
475
535
370
-
1440
1220
1200
1130
1095
905
-
220
30-34
Zied Hichri (R)
560
385
700
1645
242
35-39
60-64
45-49
Greg Prince (R)
Larry Bucchioni (I)
Jeff Sevor (R)
555
360
-
365
235
300
565
485
465
1485
1080
765
275
45-49
30-34
Michael Francis (R)
Vincent Paige (R)
705
-
405
345
760
625
1870
970
SHW
40-44
Tom Paladino (R)
-
340
450
790