For Immediate Release:

Media Contact: Mike Szudarek
Marx Layne & Company
248.855.6777, or
mszudarek@marxlayne.com



TEAM ELITEFTS PREVAILS AT 2007 ARNOLD CLASSIC AND WPO FINALS


COLUMBUS, Ohio (March 6, 2007) — Three world records and two runner-up performances were among the triumphs for Team EliteFTS at this year’s Arnold Classic held March 2-4 in Columbus, Ohio.

London, Ohio-based Elite Fitness Systems provided real time results throughout the weekend for each of its 11 sponsored lifters on its Web site at www.elitefts.com.

“Our vision has always been to create and foster an enjoyable environment for our staff, our team and our customers that empowers them to be the best they can.  From the exceptional performances this weekend of our athletes to the ongoing support, feedback and passion of those that visit and read the site, this year’s Arnold Classic was among the most memorable,” said company founder and president, Dave Tate.


Among Team EliteFTS performances:

Brian Schwab
Brian placed 4th in the Lightweight Class (up to 165 pounds) with a 749 pound squat, 573 pound bench press and a 584 pound deadlift for a combined total of 1906 pounds at a bodyweight of 165 pounds. Brian also broke the world bench press record with a lift of 573 pounds and now holds the world record for both the 148 pound and 165 pound weight classes. 


Matt Kroczaleski 
Matt—last year’s Middleweight Class (165.26 pounds to 220.25 pounds) champion—took second place in this division with a 970 pound squat, 661 pound bench press and a 783 pound deadlift for a combined 2414 pound total at a bodyweight of 220 pounds. Matt attempted at world record deadlift with 815 pounds on a fourth lift and just stalled at the knees. 


Travis Mash 
Travis is the 2005 Middleweight Class champion and placed 6th in this division with a 904 pound squat, 628 pound bench press, 705 pound deadlift and a 2237 pound combined total at a bodyweight of 220 pounds. 


Chris Mason 
Chris finished 7th in the Middleweight Class with a 904 pound squat, 584 pound bench, and a 672 pound deadlift for a total of 2160 pounds at a bodyweight of 220 pounds.


Ano Turtiainen
Ano—the 2002 Heavyweight Class (220.26 pounds to 275.5 pounds) champion—finished 4th in this group.  Ano's lifts were 1014 pounds in the squat, 601 pounds in the bench press, and an 865 pound deadlift for a total of 2480 pounds at a bodyweight of 275 pounds. 


Chad Aichs 
Chad is the 2006 WPO Semi Finals Super Heavyweight Champion (275.515 pounds and above) and finished second in this division.  Chad's lifts were 1174 pounds in the squat, 805 pounds in the bench press, and 755 pounds in the deadlift for a combined total of 2733 pounds as a super heavyweight. 


Paul Childress 
Paul is the 2004 Heavyweight Division champion and placed 3rd last year. Paul guest lifted at this event and squatted a new world record of 1147 pounds, bench pressed 683 pounds, and deadlifted 739 pounds for a total of 2569 pounds at a bodyweight of 308 pounds. 


Mike Brown 
Mike finished third in his Arnold Classic WPO Finals debut with a 1075 pound squat, 705 pound bench press, and 733 pound deadlift for a combined 2513 pound total as a super heavyweight. 


Scott Yard
Scott made his inaugural appearance at the Arnold Bench Bash and bench pressed 826 pounds as a super heavyweight for a third place finish. 


Steve Macdonald 
In the Strongman competition, Steve became the second man in history to ever lift the 525 pound stone.  He lifted the stone faster than the previous record holder and subsequently was awarded the new world record for this accomplishment. 


Official Arnold Classic WPO Finals Results Summary 
(Complete results can be found here: http://www.worldpowerlifting.org/index.cfm?page=results.cfm)

Women

1.  Shannon Hartnett
2.  Amy Weisberger
3. Margaret Kirkland
4. Lyudmyla Holovchenko
5. Amber Denmon
6. Amanda Harris
7. Taisiya Kuznetsova
8. Sarah McCaslin
9. Kerrigan McCaslin

Men's Lightweight (Up to 165 pounds)  

1. Oleksandr Kutcher
2. Dan Petrillo
3. Brian Tincher
4. Brian Schwab
5.  lya Kokorev
6. Angelo Berardinelli
7. Jason McElroy
8. Eric Talmant

Men's Middleweight (165.26 pounds to 220.25 pounds)  

1. Dondell Blue
2. Matthew Kroczaleski
3. Shawn Frankl
4. Larry Hook
5. Michael Cartinian
6. Travis Mash
7. Chris Mason

Heavyweight (220.26 pounds to 275.5 pounds)  

1.  Evgen Yarymbash
2.  Ivars Cirulis
3.  Greg Panora
4.  Ano Turtiainen
 

Super Heavyweight (275.515 pounds and above)

1. Andrew Bolton
2. Chad Aichs
3. Paul Childress
4. Mike Brown
5. Vladislav Alhazov
6. Tibor Meszaros

Official Bench Bash Results Summary 

Women  

1. Janet Faraone
2. Tarja Rantanen

Lightweight Men  

1. Brad Heck
2. Jason Coker
3. Fred Boldt
4. Joe Mazza
5. Vladimir Chadkov
6. Joe Ceklovsky

Heavyweight Men

1. Rob Luyando
2. Richard Briggs
3. Anthony Acome
4. Gary Larson
5. Mike Wolfley
6. Chip Tallman
7. Alexei Neklyudov
8. Cory Dexter
9. Michael Green
10. Vitaliy Bobchenko
 

Super Heavyweight Men  

1. Ryan Kennelly
2. Mike Wolfe 
3. Scott Yard
4. Travis Rogers
5. Vladimir Kravtsov
6. Vladimir Maximov
7. Clint Harwood
 


Click here for more pictures from the 07 WPO Finals



Elite Fitness Systems strives to be a recognized leader in the strength training industry by providing the highest quality strength training products and services while providing the highest level of customer service in the industry. For the best training equipment, information, and accessories visit us at www.EliteFTS.com.