Josh Langevin sets state powerlifting records

By ZENDA FARREL | Milton Independent Sports Writer

Josh Langevin recently earned 2 state championships for breaking bench and deadlift records. In a 100% RAW Powerlifting competition held on September 29 at First in Fitness in Barre, Langevin set the new records in the 181 pound class Junior Division 20-24, for bench press at 292 pounds and for the single lift deadlift at 520 pounds. RAW Powerlifters are 100% drug free and safely compete with no special “support” equipment. Only a singlet (belt) is allowed.

“This is the most I ever deadlifted, about three times my body weight, so it’s not too bad,” said Josh.

“I’d really like to start setting some national records – I have 11 state records now and I want to enter some competitions out of state but I will need some sponsorship. I haven’t had any real competition in my weight group in Vermont so I would like to get out and go head to head with other people in my group to see how I do. We are trying to get powerlifting to grow in the states and we are hoping more people will come out and try it.”

Josh and his powerlifting partner Jimi Aikey have been invited to the First Night in Burlington Invitational meet, to be held on First Night, Dec. 31, at the YMCA. According to Langevin only 12-16 lifters will attend the meet and these are people who hold actual state records. Aikey says the purpose of this invitation is to give lifters an opportunity to attempt to break world records. He hopes to break his squat record, which is currently 500 pounds by lifting 510 or 515.

The American Powerlifting Association (APA) has a meet coming up in Fair Haven, on Dec. 8. The APA has only recently begun holding RAW events and Josh is hoping to set some national records there.

Jimi has the distinction of being invited to the first ever RAW Unity Meet, to be held in New Port Richey, Fla., January 26-27, 2008.

“Only the best lifters from each federation are invited to this meet where they will be unifying every federation of RAW lifters,” said Aikey. Effectively, the top 10 lifters in each weight class or lifters who posted a very competitive raw total that places them in the current top 10 listing in the last 2 years are invited to compete.

Jimi sets the bar high, “This will definitely be the toughest competition of my life. I’m hoping for top 5 but wherever I place, that will be my rank.”

The meet will be conducted according to IPF (International Powerlifting Federation) rules with both drug tested and non-drug tested divisions. The federations include 100% RAW Powerlifting (RAW), Amateur Athletic Union Powerlifting (AAU), American Powerlifting Association (APA), American Powerlifting Federation (APF), Canadian Powerlifting Union (CPU), International Powerlifting Federation (IPF), United States Powerlifting Federation (USPF), USA Powerlifting (USAPL), World Association of Benchers and Deadlifters (WABDL) and World Natural Powerlifting Federation (WNPF) among others.

“Jim and I will be looking for sponsorship to help with travel money, accommodations while at meets, entry fees and membership fees for the federation. We can get sponsors but they want you to lift with their equipment - since we lift raw, no special equipment, the big sponsors aren’t interested, so we are looking for support from local businesses instead. We could wear their jerseys or something to give them recognition.”

Potential sponsors can contact Jimi or Josh @ jathepunisher@aol.com .