POWERLIFTING PAPARAZZI

Hi there

Just a quick update from me - I thought you might like to see a photo that was taken whilst I was in Italy during the World Champ's. This shot is during one of my winning deadlifts.

More updates soon :-)

- Larry

TALKING & LIFTING AT LONG LARTIN

Hi there

I've just had a very interesting weekend; I did my first ever 'speech' at HMP Long Lartin, after an invite from their PE instructor Phil Currie, and I must say I quite enjoyed it! My speech was part of their celebration of Black History Month, so I was glad to go along to talk about being a World Champion, as well as a little about my background and my anti-drugs stance - which was well received. I even managed to finish the day by doing some demo lifts & breaking my own world record!!

(My big thanks goes to John Simonett for all his help with my preparation - cheers John - you're a REAL pro! )

NEWS FLASH FROM THE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS

Hi there - I've just received a message from Larry - all the way from Italy.

I'm sure you will join me & all his friends in congratulating Larry in becoming the new World Champion, both in the equipped & non-equipped categories. He also managed to become the new World Record Holder, with a mean lift of 265 kG. As the Italians would say 'Forza Larry' !

- Grant Willcox - 2Excel Coaching (performance coach to Larry Whyte)

LARRY LIFTS OFF FOR LAST LIFT ATTEMPT

Hi there -

Just a belated note from me, as I am currently in Italy warming up for my World Championship defence this weekend. I left the UK from lovely Stanstead (!) airport yesterday, so this is being written on my behalf by my performance coach Grant ( thanks :-)

It will be interesting event at the culmination of a lot of intense training; I also know that my Aussie pal, the late Bob Withers will be there with me in spirit, saying 'the bar's loaded son'. I'll be doing it for you, Bobby, as well as the Adelaide Boys who supported me so much in Bendigo last year.

I'll keep you updated via the blog to let you know how I get on this weekend - hopefully (!) I'll be able to report on some more 'metalwork' achievements soon.

Cheers for now - Larry

More Mantelpiece Metal

Hello again

Just a quick message to let you know that I did pretty well at the recent Midlands Masters Competition, breaking my own World Record in the bench press with 147.2 Kg, as well as taking the Best Overall Lifter. I thought the trophy looked more like the FA cup!

I dedicate this trophy to the late Bob Withers - a real inspiration in the world of drug-free powerlifting, and a man I was proud to consider as a friend.

LOSS OF A LEGEND

Hi

I had an e-mail from my powerlifting buddies in Adelaide recently to inform me that my good friend & mentor from the World Championships 2006, Bob Withers, has sadly passed away. I met Bob whilst in Bendigo competing last year & he appointed himself as my 'guru'; Bob was a British ex-pat and had an unusual Brummie / Aussie accent & we got on famously. As well as being a Masters Champion with over 40 years in the game, Bob was a professor of sports physiology at the university and I know I owe a lot of my World Title success to Bob, thanks to his knowledge, inspiration & drive. He also was instrumental in my Mens Health article ' The Life of Iron', having spoken to Dan Jones in great depth about the world of drug-free powerlifting.

He will be missed, but never forgotten - particularly by me. Following my recent win at the weekend as the Midlands Champion & the new World Record Bench Press Holder, I dedicate this trophy to the memory of this great bloke.

Cheers Bob.