A Bergen-area resident with ties to Sundre recently set a new world record as well as five national records during a powerlifting competition last month.
Allen Marr, 61, attended a tournament in Medicine Hat in February that was put on by the 100% Raw Powerlifting Federation, an association which is recognized worldwide. Several weeks later, the world rankings were posted, revealing he was first in the 60-plus, 220-pound division, said a press release.
The weightlifting enthusiast broke his own national records and also set a new world record in his combined totals on his third lifts of squat at 396 pounds, bench press at 319 pounds as well as a 485-pound dead lift for an accumulated weight of 1,201 pounds.
He also broke his national records on his fourth lifts of squat at 402 pounds, bench press of 330 pounds, as well as his third dead lift of 485 pounds. Additionally, the avid bodybuilder set a new national record in the strict arm curl of 132.2 pounds.
"What I want to do now is set a world record in each individual category," Marr told the Round Up during a phone interview, adding that barring any injuries he plans to compete in the Western Canadian 100% Raw Powerlifting Championship in Kelowna this June.
Competitors who take part in 100% Raw Powerlifting events do not use any knee wraps, bench shirts or squat suits to enhance their ability to lift, he said.
"You're basically unequipped."
To further ensure a level playing field, officials enforce drug testing to make sure no banned substances are being used, said the press release.
Originally getting involved in powerlifting back in the early '80s when he lived in Pincher Creek, Marr said he initially trained with Joe Stockinger, an Olympic lifter who opened a gym in that municipality.
"He was an inspiration to me."
Although he continued to lift weights over the years, Marr said he never really got involved in any competitions. But after reconnecting with Stockinger, 87, Marr said he was inspired to try competing at another event in Medicine Hat last August.
"That got me hooked."
But Stockinger, who is also a world-class judge in the sport, was not the only motivational role model in Marr's life. When his mom Elinora suffered a heart attack at the age of 66, "she decided to walk every day up to two miles," he said.
She would wake up as early as 6 a.m. and continued that routine well into her 80s. After her legs started to ache, Elinora decided to try adding a light jog to her walk to build up her leg strength, and remained active until she died at the age of 92 in 2014, he said.
"She reversed the aging process," said Marr, adding his mother's blood pressure and cholesterol levels all returned to normal after she became more physically active.
"She was as healthy as a lot of young people."
The lesson that he drew from his mother's example is that it "doesn't matter what age you are. You can continually get better, stronger and healthier."
In turn, the weightlifter hopes to also set a positive example for his five children. His wife Janet even decided to start joining him to train.
Marr told the Round Up he would be interested in offering mentorship and coaching to anyone who might want to participate in a 100% Raw Powerlifting workshop.
"If there is enough interest, I will work to put one together. The workshop would involve other lifters from Calgary who are champions and who are well versed in putting on instructional workshops," he said.
Anyone who is so inclined is welcome to contact him at 403-638-7367.
