Regardless of where the sport of Powerlifting originated, California has had the longest running annual Powerlift Meet in the sports history. It is the Annual Iron Man Powerlift and Mr. Iron Man Championships. Begun at the Berkeley YMCA in Berkeley, Calif. by the Pacific Association of AAU sanctioned by then commissioner Ed Yarick of the famous Yaricks sGym in Oakland, Calif. It was run by Ernest Marinoni, then physical director of the Berkeley YMCA with the YMCA Weightlifting. Now in its 54th year it has evolved into a 3 lift meet though originally Squat and Bench Only. I have the complete Results of these meets from the beginning if anyone is interested. Also several Powerlift Championships were held prior to 1964 with then records kept. Names like Bert Elliot, Tommy Kono., Roy Hilligen were the names. The 54th Annual Iron Man Powerlift Championships will take place Dec. 8 in Fresno., Califor nia at the Center Point Athletic Club along with the Mr. Iron Man and Iron Woman Contests. Contestants must lift in the competition in order to compete in the Bodybuilding with half their points coming from formula lifting formula and half from 5 judges with 10 possible points from each. The highest combined score will win the title. Its a great tradition in California Powerlifting History.
