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The World Association of Bench Pressers and Deadlifters, also known as the WABDL, is a special lifting organization that concentrates on competitions in the single lifts of the bench press and the deadlift. They provide lifters with the opportunity to compete against lifters from around the world, right here in the United States. It is a drug-tested organization. Gus Rethwisch is the WABDL founder and president, and an outstanding meet promoter who puts on record-breaker events. You may contact the WABDL by e-mailing Secretary and Webmaster Elma Thomas at: wabdl@bendbroadband.com. If you would like to contact Gus Rethwisch using this e-mail address, she will forward your message to him. First Things First: The WABDL Official Info Source The WABDL official website is at: www.wabdl.org. Find out everything you need to know, right from the source. This site is a warm welcome to the organization and tends to be very straight-forward, with no frills, banner ads, or even links...just the information you need to have to start lifting here, kept impressively updated. It includes the latest news, all records, event results, upcoming events schedule, membership information, and much more! My Experiences With The WABDL My most recent WABDL meet was the 2004 WABDL World Bench Press and Deadlift Championships in Reno, Nevada - my first World's. I have also lifted in the 2004, 2003, and 2002 WABDL Midwest Regional Championships. I had a great time at all these competitions. Each took place in an excellent setting (hotel ballroom), with terrific hospitality. I would describe the officials as extremely professional, organized, friendly, and eager to help the lifters. I would describe the lifters I saw at the events as friendly and down-to-earth. At first, the ones at the Regionals were mostly Midwestern, and actually...very familiar, as most of them were Minnesota lifters, most of whom I had already met previously in other organizations within our state. Slowly, we are seeing more lifters coming from other regions, especially the East Coast. I've said it before, and I'll say it again: Gus Rethwisch is a BIG OL' TEDDY BEAR!! He is very personable and loves to take the time to talk to every lifter. He travels to almost every WABDL event that takes place across the country. He personally gives the rules briefing before taking his seat as M.C. or judge. And here's an interesting fact: during the late 80's, he starred in several hit movies including "Twins," "The Running Man," "House II: The Second Story," and "The Scorpion King." It is rare and always fun to meet another person who enjoys both powerlifting and being in the entertainment industry! Upcoming Minnesota WABDL Events View the WABDL upcoming events schedule for 2005 here. The 2005 Midwest Regional Championships will be held once again in my hometown of St. Louis Park, Minnesota! The meet date is May 28, 2005, and it will be held at the Holiday Inn - Minneapolis West. Gus Rethwisch, WABDL President and Founder, moved to Golden Valley, Minnesota this past year and will once again be the meet director. You may e-mail any questions for Gus to Elma Thomas, WABDL Secretary, at wabdl@bendbroadband.com. Or you can call Gus at (763) 545-8654. The WABDL Minnesota Records Ever since the WABDL began putting on meets in Fargo, North Dakota several years ago, lifters from Minnesota traveled to lift and set Minnesota state records. Each year since then, more lifters from Minnesota than the previous year attend the Midwest Regional event (as well as the WABDL Nationals and Worlds), especially now that Gus holds it in St. Louis Park (west of Minneapolis). View the most updated Minnesota WABDL Bench Records and Deadlift Records. 
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