Moree powerlifter Eric Dumas is currently at the top of his game, having recently secured his first master world title at the 2018 World Powerlifting Championships.
The 54-year-old veteran not only dominated the 50 to 54 years men’s Master (M3) 105kg body weight division, but also secured four world, four Australian and four Oceania records in the squat and total lifts at the championships, held at Virginia Beach, Virginia, USA from October 11 to 14.
Two Australian, two Oceania, and two world M3 records (World Powerlifting Federation) were established in quick succession on the second and third attempts of the squat event with 257.5kg and 265kg respectively, placing Dumas well ahead of Gene Santomartino from the USA (230kg) and Ireland’s Andy Murtagh (210kg).
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Dumas’ mundane, yet consistent, 145kg benchpress helped retain a 17.5kg lead over American lifter Santomartino after his strong 162.5kg benchpress performance.
As it is often the case, the deadlift was the deciding event.
Despite Andy Murtagh’s 300kg deadlift world record on his final lift, Dumas’ solid second 272.5kg lift, as well as a very strenuous third successful 280kg attempt, laid the foundations of Dumas’ first master world title trophy, with Andy Murtagh (650) second, ahead of Gene Santomartino (650) who completed the podium with third place on body weight.
The Moree lifter also secured another two Australian, two Oceania and two world M3 records for the total of his three lifts (682.5kg and 690kg).
The championships were the first held by new international body World Powerlifting which was formed by a band of nations – including Powerlifting Australia (PA), some of the Oceania nations, including New Zealand, a collection of 11 countries under the banner of 100% Raw Powerlifting Federation, as well as a dozen Asian countries, including Hong Kong, Vietnam, Thailand, Iran and the People’s Republic of China – after the PA and Oceania Powerlifting Federation (OPF), along with their president Robert Wilks, were excluded from the International Powerlifting Federation (IPF).
Dumas’ preparations for the Oceania Championships, to be held in Brisbane in mid December, are well underway at the Moree PCYC.
This quick training cycle will be aiming at increasing weights attained for each of the three lifts in an attempt to reach the 700kg landmark total.
The prospect of a 300kg deadlift will also be hopefully entertained for next year.
