Local lifter becomes World Champion

Local powerlifter Robin Ray made the trip to Scandinavia earlier this month to compete in the IPF World Classic Powerlifting Championship in Helsingborg, Sweden.

Ray came home with a different moniker though — World Champion.

America’s representative in the 125.6-pound Master’s Division (age 40-49), Ray squatted 303 pounds, benched 198 pounds and dead lifted 352 pounds for a total of 854 pounds.

Ray was the best master’s competitor in the bench press and squat lifts, and her bench press in particular holds some serious weight, as it is now an American record.

Looking back, Ray is still shocked about how she finished, but is incredibly thankful and humbled by her experience.

Despite her awesome performance at the world competition level, she actually lifted less than she did at the qualifying meet last year and was coming off injury rehab before heading to Sweden.

“It is still surreal. Almost in disbelief and very humbling,” Ray said. “After battling an injury that kept me from squatting and deadlifting for the majority of my training cycle since November, I was unsure how I would place. Going in the highest seeded lifter with a fairly large lead and not being able to come close to that total and still come away with the win, all I can say is I’m truly blessed and God answered my prayers.”

Ray was also a part of a team victory for the United States as well.

These types of competitions require very specific training regimens and lots of time and energy.

“My normal training varies between three and six days a week depending on where I’m at in a particular training block,” Ray said. “I have been working towards this goal for four years.”

Ray could just as easily be basking in the glory of being the world’s strongest Master’s Level powerlifter, but as mentioned, she has been doing more thanking than relishing — which really sets her apart.

“I want to thank everyone who has continued to support me and push me through every obstacle and celebrated my victories throughout my journey,” Ray said. “My girls, Arika and Alyssa Gilmore for being my rock(s). To be able to show them and others that you can dream big and accomplish what you set out to do through hard work is a blessing. Biggest thanks to my coach Justin Anderson, who is also local to the Silver Valley, for getting me to this point. I give him a lot of shit and we have developed a good friendship in the time that he’s been my coach. My plan now is to take some time to heal up this injury and rehab and rebuild to come back stronger for the next competition.”