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Shari Matthews shows perfect form below parallel in the Women’s Squat. She won with a max weight of 255lbs.

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Michael Mercer leads the men’s category with 48 points. Here he attempts 625lbs in the Deadlift.

‘Mikey’ Mercer, Matthews lift to first place after Day 1 of Strong Fest 2017

Michael ‘Mikey’ Mercer and Shari Matthews calmly lifted their way to the top of the standings with 48 points each after Day 1 in the inaugural Strong Fest competition on Saturday at Valley Fitness Zone, St. George.

After the first three events of the nine event competition, Mercer of Bassa Bassa Crossfit Gym leads the men’s category with 48 points after winning two and placing second in the other. He won the first event of the day – the squat. His first lift was at 425lbs which he easily conquered, then in the second round he moved up to 500lbs which he also made look easy and then finally secured the event win with a 515lb lift. Second place in the squat went to Lamar Coward of the Fitness Workshop with a maximum lift of 495lbs after failing his final weight of 515lbs and Dario Bryan was third with a max weight of 425 lbs.

Mercer placed second in the Bench Press event, which was second on the cards with a push of 340 with National bodybuilder Stevenson Belle of Surfside Wellness Centre copping the win with a max push of 375 lbs. Third place went to Abayomi Forbes of Valley Fitness Zone with 315 lbs.

In the final event of the day, the Deadlift, Mercer was in a realm of his own amongst the other 10 participants. His first lift of 500lbs was heavier than the max weights of 6 of his competitors. He made light work of the 500lbs and then raised the weight straight to 600lbs which he lifted smoothly without any noticeable problems. The final weight stood at 625 lbs but was adjudged to not have locked his knees at the peak of the deadlift form and declared a no-lift. Lamar Coward was second with 585lbs and Belle was third with a lift of 550.

The women’s category was full of support with all the participants coming from CrossFit 246 Gym. Shari Matthews was the pick of the lot in the squats to start the day and easily won with three powerful and easy lifts of 180, 225 and 255lbs. Second place was taken by Nicole Blackman with 180lbs and Nagina Gooding lifting her way to third with 165 lbs.

Haynes shone brightly in the second event, the Bench Press as she took down the juggernaut Matthews as they both were adjudged no-lifts in their final attempts. With the max weight missed by both, Haynes won with her second push of 115lbs while Matthews took second with 105 and Janelle Alleyne was third with 55 lbs. The final event was won by Matthews with 340lbs as her max in the Deadlift event. In second was Haynes who made an attempt at 375lbs but was unsuccessful but her second lift of 330lbs was enough to secure the place. In third was Nicole Blackman with 275lbs to round out a very good showing for the ladies.

Mercer leads the men with 48, in second stands Coward with 28 and third is Belle on 26 in the men’s category while Mathews has 48 for first place in the women, followed by Haynes and Blackman on 34 and 18 respectively. (AS)

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