2010 APA Billy Funk Memorial "All Raw" Powerlifting Championships

by Brad Loomis

Video by Brandon Bousman & Jeff Alberts, Interviews by Eric Helms

It was 1 year ago when Billy Funk was preparing for his first Power Lifting Competition with the American Power Lifting Association.  However, he would never get the chance to compete.  On October 31^st of 2009, two weeks before his meet, he was tragically killed in a car wreck.  Billy was planning to compete in Sacramento, but he was raised in Portola, California, so it was only fitting that Portola’s first Power Lifting Competition was held and named in his honor.   As only Billy would have it, the APA Billy Funk Memorial “ALL RAW” Power Lifting Championships was a smashing success, and was held in a beautiful outdoor venue.

On Saturday October 9^th, athletes came from all over California and from as far away as Washington.  They were greeted by a large bill board right on highway 70 in Portola where Healthy Bodies Fitness can be found.  Behind Healthy Bodies, enthusiastic and friendly spectators filled a 2,400 square foot tent set right off the golf course at the Chalet View Lodge.  This was where the action would happen, as 4 APA World Records were broken as well as a host of California State Records.

The Billy Funk Memorial opening ceremonies started with Promoter Brad Loomis giving a touching dedication to his late friend and training partner.  Father Renier Siva of Holy Family Parrish would then say a blessing before Kelli Prichard and her brother Randy performed a beautiful rendition of our National Anthem.  Brad gave a brief description of the lifting rules for the spectators present, and then it was time for the lifting.

In this Full Power and Bench Only “Raw” competition, Andrea Murana of Portola had the difficult task of starting the competition in the Squat.  Her first time competing, Andrea would be successful with a squat of 95lbs and totaled 315lbs to take the women’s 123lb masters class.   The highlight of the Squat Competition would come when Justin Thomsen of Washington would set an APA World Record for 18-19 year olds in the 220lb weight class.  On his final lift, Justin got 3 whites as he squatted 565lbs.

The Bench Press Competition would test the athlete’s upper body strength.  Barbara Lyon would be the pound for pound best of the Women with her bench press of 120lbs in the 123lb weight class.  However, Gary McFarland of Quincy would be the star of the Bench Pressers.  His lift of 420lbs was a World Record for 45-49 year old men in the 242lb weight class.

The main event was a test of total body strength in the Dead Lift.  In his Power Lifting Debut, 7 year old Xander Loomis did an exhibition Dead Lift of 105lbs with near perfect technique.  However, all eyes were on Portola’s Melissa Klundby as she attempted to lift nearly 2 ½ times her body weight.  Melissa’s Dead Lift of 315lbs was a Women’s Open World Record in the 132lb weight class.

The Men’s Open Best Lifter was Mike Maslanik totaling 1,550lbs while Melissa Klundby would top the Open Women with a 640lb total.  In the Masters Class (all competitors over the age of 40), Cromberg’s John LaGrill was crowned Men’s best lifter while Portola’s Cindy Wood earned the Women’s title.  However, a mighty 4^th dead lift of 560lbs would once again put 19 year old Justin Thomsen in the record books for the 220lb weight class.  His combined total of 1,415lbs was the 4^th World Record set at the Billy Funk Memorial Power Lifting Championships.

No one wanted the competition to end, the fun, energy, new friendships formed, world records set and the unusual trophies, made for a successful event.  Just as Billy Funk would want it, this will become an annual event.

Brad Loomis would like to thank all of the sponsors and members for generously donating to this event.  J’s Feather River Rental, Woods Fire and Emergency, Lenas Cantina, Pizza Factory of Portola, High Sierra Kettlebell Club, Sierra Mountain Properties, Getting to the Heart of the Matter, Funk Automotive, Sierra Touring Company, Graeagle Vacation Rentals, Plumas Pines Golf Course, Chapman Precision, Graeagle Store, Penitentiary Steel Power Lifting Team, AST Sports Science, Controlled Labs, Body Tribe Gym and 3DMuscleJourney.com.  Brad would also like to thank all of the volunteers that worked the meet to near perfection.  Scott Taylor, APA president, was so impressed with the organization of the event that he and Brad are negotiating to bring the APA World Championships to Portola!

Meet Highlights 

Promoter Brad Loomis

Best Lifter Mike Maslanik

Best Lifter Melissa Klundby 

Open 198lb & Teen Winner Hani Jazayrli 

www.3DMUSCLEJOURNEY.com > ARTICLES