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By
Phil Stevens |
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Hey all. I am happy
to announce my planning for Lift For Hope 2010 will kick off
hardcore this week. I have some exciting news this year including
a revamped website and a whole new avenue for the money raised.
Lift for Hope is a 3rd annual
Charity Strength Sports Event. This year's "Lift for
Hope" again will be a one day NAHA sanctioned Highlander
State Championship and APF sanctioned deadlift meet held in
mid Oct to Early Nov in the Phoenix Az Metro Area.
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In 2010 I have decided to take the
charities giving's in a new direction. In the two previous years
I used the event to raise money for first an American Cancer Society
camp for children, then last year The Big Brothers Big Sisters of
Central Az. This year I am changing the focus to a by strength athletes,
for strength athletes event. Proceeds raised will support strength
athletes that compete on the international level for the United
States Of America.
It's amazing that we still stand as
very competitive in some of the sports with such a variance in the
support received compared to our competition. There is no question
as to why we are not more competitive, It boils right down to capital,
to funding, and support or the lack there of. It is time we, we
the fellow strength athletes, enthusiasts, the fitness, supplement,
and training equipment industries as well as the general populations
stand up and lend a hand to these athletes that shed blood sweat
and tears to compete on the national level in our names.
That is what I intend to do this year
with Lift For Hope 2010. The charitable profits raised will go to
support three athletes that compete on the international level for
our country. One Olympic Weight Lifter, one Power lifter, and one
Thrower (Shot Put, hammer, or discus) will receive equal checks
from Lift For Hope to help supplement the cost of their training
and hard work in representing us. I will be announcing the athletes
as early as next week.
Strength athletics in the USA, unlike
our international counterparts, have become the unfunded evil steps
sister to team athletics and other single athlete athletic events
such as gymnastics, sprinting, and swimming. Heavy athletes as a
whole have taken a huge hit in this day in age. Across the board
the athletes put years of dedication, blood, sweat and tears in
the hopes of bringing home gold for our country, with little to
know accolades and recognition, let alone funding.
These athletes are scrapping by, training
endless hours in our honor to shoot for a goal greater than most
even dare to dream, all the while scrapping by on few peanuts and
chicken soup, while working a part time job that will allow them
to keep the training schedule that athletes around the globe, and
even in their own country in other sports Don't have to worry about
as they are funded and allowed to vent all of their energy into
their training. It is time we the people lend a hand, to even our
playing field for our hard training strength athletes.
It is also high time that strength
athletic and charity merge. How many successful walks, Jogs, marathons
do you see across the world. How many endurance based events do
you know of that do a great job and get turn outs in the tens of
thousands for causes. It's time for strength athletics to come out
and be seen as well and show that we are a community of great and
giving people. That is my aim to give strength athletes a way to
give back and be seen for who we are.
At Lift For Hope 2010 men and women
of all ages, weight classes, and experience levels, from beginner
to expert, will again compete in the two competitions to support
the charity, strength athletics, and to hold the title of State
Champion. Beginners to advanced are welcome to participate. Last
year's event saw 14 first time novice athletes, produced 16 New
State records, and 3 national records including a 725lb raw deadlift
by Lift for Hope founder and operator me. We hope for this kind
of representation and more from novice and elite alike in 2010.
In addition to the competition the
atmosphere as a whole is that of a family friendly event. There
will also be, Music, food, massage, a raffle, demonstrations and
more for the entire family to enjoy, Athletic enthusiast and not.
I am looking to build on last year which saw 3 bands, one comedian,
2 food vendors, 3 massage therapists, Gifts and mascots for all,
and more. Please spread the word, give what you can and please come
join us to help grow this event, support strength athletics, and
in turn your country.
More info to come in the very near
future. Again please spread the word and if you know of any possible
sponsors and or want to get involved yourself please email me at
Phil@lift4hope.org and look
for the new website which should be up very soon at www.lift4hope.org
About The Author
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Coach Phil Stevens is an accomplished
strength athlete with considerable experience in both powerlifting
and strongman competition. Phil is the 2007 APA World Champion
in the 242-pound class (total). He currently holds the APF
275-pound class raw National bench, squat, deadlift, and total
records. Phil’s marquis lift was his 700-pound raw deadlift,
performed on February 14, 2009 in Phoenix, Arizona.
Phil has been ranked in the “Top 10” in the deadlift Nationally across all powerlifting federations, also serves as the Arizona State Chair for the North American Highlander Association, as well as the founder of Lift For Hope, an annual strength-competition
with proceeds donated to Charity (www.Lift4Hope.org).
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