Eighty local athletes competed on Saturday, December 7, 2024, at Olympia High School in a USA Powerlifting (USAPL) meet run by Team Phoenix Powerlifting. The competition featured lifters from ages 14 to 74. This was the 22nd annual time for the powerlifting Holiday Classic event.
A team from Olympia High School is training to send some lifters to High School Nationals in Wisconsin in March of 2025. The “Team Phoinix Holiday Classic” event was a fundraiser for the Olympia team.
Powerlifting is a sport where athletes compete on the total weight lifted based on their best squat, bench and deadlift. Competitors are split into categories based on age division and weight classes. Each lifter gets three attempts per lift and must achieve “white lights” from at least two of the three judges to be considered a good lift.
USA Powerlifting has additional information on finding gyms that offer powerlifting training and a calendar to find meets. For those interested in competing, you need to learn the rules, purchase a membership and register for a meet. There are multiple national competitions for athletes including youth, high school, collegiate, open, and masters divisions, as well as the raw and equipped divisions.
2024 Holiday Classic Awards
Best Overall Women and Open division Women: Sophia Ylinen
Best Teen Womens: Alyssa Feldhausen
Best Overall Male and Open Division Male: Emanual Minor
Best Junior Male: Deagon Potong
Best Masters Male: Grant Higa
Best Teen Male: Taylor Nguyen
