A little over a week ago, I competed in the WDFPF World Drug-Free Single Lift Championships in Aalsmeer, Netherlands, on 1-2 June 2024.

It is now a little over two years since I had a total knee replacement of my left knee, and then six months later also a hip replacement of my right hip (see here). After the surgery and a month or so of rehab work with a physio, I started doing some powerlifting training building up very gradually over 18 months to a national competition in September 2023 (see here). At that competition, I qualified to compete at international level in the bench press and deadlift.

I made an application to compete in the World Single Lift Championships in 2024. My son Felix Strong had competed in the 2023 World Championships in Sardinia and set a world record of 260 kg for the deadlift (see here and here). He decided not to compete this year, because his final exams were scheduled through most of May. However, at the last minute, he changed his mind and also decided to apply.

Three Swiss athletes competed at the World Championships in Aalsmer, close to Schiphol Airport in the Netherlands.  Like Felix, Gina Berther had also set a world record for the deadlift in Sardinia last year (195 kg) and was also competing in all three lifts.

I successfully bench pressed 105 kg but failed my third attempt at 107.5 kg because I moved my right foot. I performed three successful deadlifts at 170 kg, 182.5 kg and then 192.5 kg. I took first place in my age-weight class for both lifts  (M7 70-74 yrs, 90-100 kg bodyweight). Both lifts are new Swiss records also.

Felix set two new world records for the squat and deadlift in his age-weight class (T3 18-18 yrs, 82.5-90 kg) with 221 kg squat and a 286 kg deadlift.  He also took overall first place in his weight class (all ages) for the deadlift and second place in his weight class for the squat. He bench-pressed 145 kg for a first place in his age-weight class.

Gina unfortunately did not beat her previous deadlift record of 195 kg (<70 kg weight class SR age group). She did come first in her weight class for both squat (125 kg) and deadlift (190 kg) and second in her weight class for bench press (80 kg). Two times world champion.

For me it was several dreams achieved.  I first started to dream of competing at world level in 2019, but it was delayed first by covid lockdowns and then by joint replacements, and I was not at all sure that I would be able to lift heavy enough again.

And I got to compete in the same world championships as my son Felix. He decided to compete at the last minute and set two new world records despite doing limited training through his exam period.

And finally, like Felix, I have now competed at world level twice. In my case, the last time was a different sport (ju-jiutsu), and competing for a different country (Australia), 29 years ago. I am at the top left, wearing a silver medal.