Eleiko Powerlifting Plates, Bars and Collars - Official USA Distributor

RAW United in Iraq

Submitted by Spero on January 30, 2009 - 8:30am.

On Sunday, January 25, LTC Mary Morehouse hosted the Victory Base Powerlifting Open at the SFC Paul R. Smith Gym in Baghdad, Iraq. The RAW United's 2008 Lifter of the Year, SSG Marie Pritzl, was the outstanding female lifter, registering a 290 pound squat, 190 pound bench, and 365 pound deadlift in the 148s. On the men’s side, 242 pounder Elmedin Heco totaled 1440 pounds to capture Best Lifter honors.

(SSG Marie Pritzl pulling strong at the Victory Base Powerlifting Open in Baghdad, Iraq. The contest was sanctioned and sponsored by R.A.W. United.)

Congratulations to all the soldiers that competed in the event. All participants and staff personnel received a complimentary 2009 membership, a Valiant Warriors shirt, and a 12’ x 16” plaque from the federation. The federation will be sanctioning and sponsoring the Q-West Powerlifting Quest 1000 at Qaayarah Air Field, Iraq on February 15th.

R.A.W. United would like to thank its lifters for their generous support in making this contest possible, as well as House of Pain, Westside Barbell, Metroflex Gym, Titan, and Pro Wrist Straps for donating medals, contest shirts, gear, etc. to our nation’s warriors

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Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on January 30, 2009 - 9:17am. » quote

Great job! Its nice to see so many powerlifting org's supporting the soldiers.

Submitted by sperot on January 30, 2009 - 9:31am. » quote

Anonymous,

Thanks for your response! I agree; it was awesome to see how many groups were involved in helping Mary host the meet.

Have a great weekend, Spero

Submitted by quarry206 on January 30, 2009 - 10:41am. » quote

I got moved from the base right before this event. I was so sad that i couldn't be there. very happy to see SSG Pritzl make the cover of the site. I came over in the same battilion as her. she is a very talented lifter

Submitted by sperot on January 30, 2009 - 11:06am. » quote

Quarry206,

Thanks for your service! I hope you will be able to lift in one of our meets in country or back home.

Take care and Godspeed, Spero

Submitted by Eric Talmant on January 30, 2009 - 11:17am. » quote

Awesome to see this!

Great job to Spero and everyone that was involved!

www.erictalmant.com

CITIUS,ALTIUS,FORTIUS

Submitted by Ellen Stein (not verified) on January 30, 2009 - 11:34am. » quote

Thank you all for keeping us safe so we can all continue to enjoy this sport here at home! We will keep you in our thoughts and prayers and hope that you come home safe and join us on the platform next year at RUM 2010!
Great lifting Marie-with legs like yours you should be squatting some bigger numbers real soon!!!

Submitted by Travis Bell on January 30, 2009 - 12:20pm. » quote

Didn't Gunny Green compete in this meet? For some reason I was thinking he benched around 560 (on a fourth for exhibition) or something like that.

I could be getting my meets mixed up though

Submitted by sperot on January 30, 2009 - 12:27pm. » quote

Travis,

Thanks for your post and your service!

You may have your meets mixed up as you said because I did not see a "Green" on the preliminary roster.

Mary is sending me the final results today, and I will check for a "Green" in the roster.

Thanks again, Spero

Submitted by Tyler K (not verified) on January 30, 2009 - 12:30pm. » quote

It's really good to see these things going on over there, and so many powerlifters supporting them too! Good job to all the contestants! Be Safe and God bless!

Submitted by Travis Bell on January 30, 2009 - 3:32pm. » quote

sperot wrote:

Travis,

Thanks for your post and your service!

You may have your meets mixed up as you said because I did not see a "Green" on the preliminary roster.

Mary is sending me the final results today, and I will check for a "Green" in the roster.

Thanks again, Spero

Just to make clear, I'm not in the military.

look for Mike "Gunny" Green

Submitted by sperot on January 30, 2009 - 3:40pm. » quote

Travis,

Sorry about that; thanks for your support of Mike!

I just received the results, and he's not on the roster. While it have been a different meet, Mary informed me that an entire unit that was scheduled to compete was mobilized for a mission and missed the event. Those soldiers were given the opportunity to compete next month at our "Q-West Powerlifting Quest 1000" at Qaayarah Air Field.

Thanks again, Spero

Submitted by Al Annunziato on January 30, 2009 - 5:57pm. » quote

Great job everyone! Thank you for all you do.

I love competing in a federation where all the funds are used to support these brave men and women. God bless you, Spero.

Submitted by Frank Brown (not verified) on March 16, 2009 - 6:54pm. » quote

I'm glad this program was able to make it to Iraq and let the soldiers compete for a power lifting title. Heco with 1440 Lbs...that is outrageous. I hope all those who participated had fun, and I want to thank you for your service. God bless those all those who are serving today.

--
Frank B.

Submitted by Jared Goode (not verified) on April 13, 2009 - 9:51pm. » quote

i love you gorgeous. i'm so lucky that you're gonna be my wife. i miss you soooooooooo much!