Despite battling injury and the ’flu in preparation for last weekend’s Minnesota State Powerlifting Championships in Duluth, Dean Patrow combined to lift 1,700 pounds to lead the 48-person field.
Patrow, 43, of Fort Frances–now setting his sights on the Canadian championships in Taber, Alta. in May–stole the show at the Master’s/Novice meet, which attracted lifters mostly from Minnesota.
He successfully completed a 705-pound lift in the squat, a 405-pound bench press, and 590-pound deadlift. He “just missed” 610 in the deadlift and “barely” missed his 415 attempt in the bench press.
Patrow opened by lifting 640 pounds in the squat. He missed his attempt of 685 after he lost his balance, then blew the competition away with his 705 lift (each competitor is allowed three lifts in each category).
As the results show, Patrow dominated in the squat, traditionally his best lift. In fact, his next closest competitor was a Minneapolis man who squatted 635.
“I felt pretty good,” said Patrow, whose best squat lift is 730 pounds.
But Patrow also is improving in his bench press. He opened by lifting 380 pounds and then 405, before missing his 415 attempt. He’s nailed down a 420 lift in the gym, and has set a goal of bench pressing 425.
In the deadlift, he opened by lifting 540 and then 590, before missing 610 on his final lift.
And he did it despite having to battle a persistent hamstring problem and the ’flu, which hampered his ability to train before the competition.
“I said to myself before that if I could total 1,700, [then] I would be pretty happy,” said Patrow, who also helps train athletes at the Sportsplex here.
Patrow said he will continue to train for the nationals, and may compete in one or two more Minnesota meets.
He also hopes to compete in the world championships later this year if they’re held in North America.
Fort Frances Times
Local News from Across the Rainy River District
