Masters powerlifters chase records in Märjamaa

Powerlifting brought extra excitement to Märjamaa on Saturday, 18 November, with a record 19 competitors lining up for the opening parade. The day was memorable both for the Estonian masters records and for the four young lifters making their first appearance on the platform.

Powerlifting in Märjamaa: what made the day special

From the outset, it was clear that the Rapla County Open Championships and the Rapla SVK and Estonian Sports Veterans Union powerlifting championships would be no quiet local affair. Alongside the experienced masters lifters, three young men from Märjamaa and one from Järvakandi took part. All four were stepping onto the competition platform for the first time.

Your first competition is always a challenge in its own right. You have to lift the weight while also listening to commands, keeping track of the lifting order and managing your nerves on the platform. That made it all the more valuable that all four young lifters gained that experience and acquitted themselves well.

The masters lifters, meanwhile, were clearly hungry for records this time. And they backed it up with results. In total, they set 19 Estonian masters records. That tally shows they were in form when it mattered, and the competition gave them a good opportunity to show what they could do.

How the powerlifting records were set

In the M1 (ages 40 – 49) category, Tartu’s Aivo Nurmine emerged as one of the day’s standout lifters. Competing in the -90 kg body weight class, he bench pressed 207.5 kg and 215 kg. These excellent lifts set new Estonian records and were also Estonian senior records in that body weight class.

Nurmine had competed at the World Championships in Norway a week earlier. Estonia’s best powerlifter of 2005 showed in Märjamaa that the major competition had done nothing to slow him down. With a total of 737.5 kg, he was also the best male lifter of the entire competition.

Viktor Gustsin from Toila municipality broke records eight times. He competed in the M3 (ages 60 – 69) category in the -100 kg body weight class. His new records were a 190 kg squat, a 215 kg deadlift and a 480 kg total. It is a good example of why masters powerlifting deserves attention: competing in an older age category does not mean putting in any less effort.

A practical perspective: what the results show

Every attempt counts in powerlifting. Some lifts stand out for the sheer weight lifted; others for the athlete’s ability to deliver a solid, technically sound lift when it matters. Märjamaa had both.

Other new Estonian records included Jaan Tuha’s 245 kg squat in the M1 category’s -110 kg body weight class, Heino Maiste’s 152.5 kg squat in the M2 category’s -67.5 kg body weight class, and Raul Randmäe’s 200 kg bench press in the +125 kg body weight class.

In the M3 category, Artur Andrekson of the Tallinn Police Sports Society set records in the -110 kg body weight class with a 127.5 kg squat, bench presses of 120 and 122.5 kg, and totals of 405 and 415 kg. Mihkel Laurits added a bench press record of 110 kg in the -90 kg body weight class.

Rapla County champions were crowned in several body weight classes. Keir Pool won the -52 kg class with a total of 162.5 kg. Ants Torri topped the -56 kg class with 345 kg. Jaano Saar won the -60 kg class with 262.5 kg. Heino Maiste was the -67.5 kg champion with 417.5 kg.

The hard work continued in the heavier classes. Viktor Tsiviljov won the -75 kg body weight class with 510 kg, Ivo Kiisk the -82.5 kg class with 430 kg, and Mihkel Laurits the -90 kg class with 435 kg. These results paint a clear picture of the day’s competition: experience, composure and thorough preparation were all on display on the platform.

Powerlifting competitions need organizers too

A good competition takes more than a barbell and plates. It needs referees, organizers, helpers and supporters. Special thanks went to the ever-helpful referees ANTS ROOSENBAUM and EVART NIINEMÄE from Tallinn, and VELLO VAINOLA and PRIIT RÜNDAL from Märjamaa.

The organizers and competitors also thanked Märjamaa business owners Koit Kuus, Paul Puusepp and Tiina Sillaste. Their help in providing prizes and ensuring every competitor received flowers was invaluable. These small but visible gestures give a local sporting event its warmth.

Before leaving, competitor Mr. Jaan Tuha neatly captured the spirit of the day: “A wonderfully organized competition with a warm atmosphere.” Honestly, that is probably some of the best feedback an organizer could hear at the end of a competition day.

Thanks again to everyone who helped.

FAQ

Which lifts count in a powerlifting competition?

Powerlifting usually includes three lifts: the squat, bench press and deadlift. Your total is calculated from successful attempts in these lifts.

Why are masters records recorded separately?

Masters categories allow fairer comparisons between athletes in different age groups. They let you assess a performance within an age category as well as in the overall standings.

What does a young athlete learn from their first competition?

You learn how competitions work, the referees’ commands, how to choose your attempts and how to handle pressure. Your first competition often gives you more experience than several regular workouts.

Organizer
Mihkel Laurits

Author: EJTL

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