Post by Admin on May 12, 2007 8:14:46 GMT -8
Here's the statement from Kieran Kidder...
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The WPO has exciting new direction that I will breakdown for you. First the Men's WPO USA Semifinals are being moved back a little, along the WPC Can-Am 3/Lift + BP Championship for all Men's + Women's Divisions. They both will still be held at the scenic Fort William Henry Resort in world renowned Lake George N.Y. World Class Bencher Bill Crawford, who also owns Adirondack Barbell will be the Meet Director. Sam Luciano will also be involved in running the contest with Bill. Sam is the New York APF State Chairman, and is the Executive Director of the Fort William Henry. Sam has many connections in the hotel industry. He's a valuable asset for future sponsorship. Like normal the Top 5 Lwt, Mwt, Hwt, SHW from both the USA + European Semifinals will move on to the WPO Finals.
The 2008 WPO Finals will be held at the Fit Expo in Los Angeles California in mid-February. Legendary Bencher Scot Mendelson will be the Meet Director for both the WPO Finals, and the WPO Scott Mendelson Bench Press Classic. Mendy will personally be inviting the top level benchers who consistently make lifts. He will invite APF/WPC/WPO lifters only. Pooling from his 2007 SMC, the 2007 AC WRBB, and from the 2007 APF Seniors BP Nationals in Daytona Beach. Mendy has a great following in LA which has made his event very popular. So this is the perfect spot for the next phase of the WPO.
Both Bill and Scot have everything they need to run a high level WPO contest. Plenty of Monolifts, Forza benches, Ivanko kilo sets, squat bars, deadlift bars, etc,. I will see to it that a heavy duty reinforced platform is built with tight carpet covering it. Like I said both Bill and Scot are the meet directors, and will be giving out prize money during the awards ceremony. The WPO Semifinals in Lake George will have at least $15,000. Mendy has been giving out $15,000 at his bench meet. Since he's going to be having the WPO Finals too, he's projects $25,000, but shooting for more. Late Fall he will have a better idea of exactly how much prize money he will have to give.
There's a company in the Ukraine that Spartak Vaskovsky President of WPC/WPO Ukraine is negotiating with to sponsor the WPO in the USA/Europe. Spartak is already having a BIG MONEY bench meet called, WPO Stars of the Bench this Summer in the Ukraine, with $50,000 in prize money. He already has the money from the sponsor. The winners of each class will get $5000, and the biggest bench gets $10,000. Scot Mendelson, Ryan Kennelly, Rob Luyando, have committed to the event. Gene Rychlak was invited too, but is hesitant for some reason. Top level European Benchers are very excited about lifting against the these high level American benchers. It will be an awesome event!!
Thank you Bill Crawford, Scot Mendelson, and Spartak Vaskovsky for not jumping ship, and actually doing something to help the cause instead of complain. Bottom line there are lifters/promoters out there that no matter what happens will always be APF/WPC/WPO for life!! That would quit the sport, or die rather than lift in 2nd rate federations with no history/credibility. It's a of matter pride.
Kieran Kidder, APF/WPC/WPO President.
+++++
The WPO has exciting new direction that I will breakdown for you. First the Men's WPO USA Semifinals are being moved back a little, along the WPC Can-Am 3/Lift + BP Championship for all Men's + Women's Divisions. They both will still be held at the scenic Fort William Henry Resort in world renowned Lake George N.Y. World Class Bencher Bill Crawford, who also owns Adirondack Barbell will be the Meet Director. Sam Luciano will also be involved in running the contest with Bill. Sam is the New York APF State Chairman, and is the Executive Director of the Fort William Henry. Sam has many connections in the hotel industry. He's a valuable asset for future sponsorship. Like normal the Top 5 Lwt, Mwt, Hwt, SHW from both the USA + European Semifinals will move on to the WPO Finals.
The 2008 WPO Finals will be held at the Fit Expo in Los Angeles California in mid-February. Legendary Bencher Scot Mendelson will be the Meet Director for both the WPO Finals, and the WPO Scott Mendelson Bench Press Classic. Mendy will personally be inviting the top level benchers who consistently make lifts. He will invite APF/WPC/WPO lifters only. Pooling from his 2007 SMC, the 2007 AC WRBB, and from the 2007 APF Seniors BP Nationals in Daytona Beach. Mendy has a great following in LA which has made his event very popular. So this is the perfect spot for the next phase of the WPO.
Both Bill and Scot have everything they need to run a high level WPO contest. Plenty of Monolifts, Forza benches, Ivanko kilo sets, squat bars, deadlift bars, etc,. I will see to it that a heavy duty reinforced platform is built with tight carpet covering it. Like I said both Bill and Scot are the meet directors, and will be giving out prize money during the awards ceremony. The WPO Semifinals in Lake George will have at least $15,000. Mendy has been giving out $15,000 at his bench meet. Since he's going to be having the WPO Finals too, he's projects $25,000, but shooting for more. Late Fall he will have a better idea of exactly how much prize money he will have to give.
There's a company in the Ukraine that Spartak Vaskovsky President of WPC/WPO Ukraine is negotiating with to sponsor the WPO in the USA/Europe. Spartak is already having a BIG MONEY bench meet called, WPO Stars of the Bench this Summer in the Ukraine, with $50,000 in prize money. He already has the money from the sponsor. The winners of each class will get $5000, and the biggest bench gets $10,000. Scot Mendelson, Ryan Kennelly, Rob Luyando, have committed to the event. Gene Rychlak was invited too, but is hesitant for some reason. Top level European Benchers are very excited about lifting against the these high level American benchers. It will be an awesome event!!
Thank you Bill Crawford, Scot Mendelson, and Spartak Vaskovsky for not jumping ship, and actually doing something to help the cause instead of complain. Bottom line there are lifters/promoters out there that no matter what happens will always be APF/WPC/WPO for life!! That would quit the sport, or die rather than lift in 2nd rate federations with no history/credibility. It's a of matter pride.
Kieran Kidder, APF/WPC/WPO President.
