|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|||||||||||
|
Local |
|||||||||||
|
ELMS teacher captures top weightlifting title By ANDIE LEATHERMAN, LTN Staff Writer Dec. 28, 2001 - When Jennifer Thompson began lifting competitively three years ago, her goal was to take the world championship. In early December, halfway around the world, the East Lincoln Middle School teacher did just that. She is now the world bench press champion in her weight category. In addition to the first place win in her 138-pound category, Thompson took second place overall, lifting 281.5 pounds. “That was my best lift yet,” she said. Prior to competing in the three-day New Zealand meet, Thompson trained with her coach and husband, Donovan. She lifts four days a week, one and half to two hours during each session. They came up with the schedule by trial and error. Originally, Thompson lifted six days a week but the back to back sessions were not giving her muscles time to recover. “We learned that the hard way,” she said. Thompson arrived in New Zealand, a week before competition, giving her a chance to recover from the 30-hour trip. She and Donovan stayed a total of two weeks, touring both the north and south island. Thompson also spoke to seventh and eighth graders about powerlifting, success and staying drug free. “I threw a little work in my vacation,” she joked. Ever the teacher, she videotaped a play on New Zealand culture the students performed, later showing it to her math students back at East Lincoln. In New Zealand, seventh and eighth graders attend intermediate school but do not change classes. They wear uniforms and play cricket, Thompson said. She was also a guest on a local radio show. Callers asked questions about the aftermath of the Sept. 11 attacks on America. “They were really up on that,” she said. Thompson was impressed with the people she met in New Zealand. “They’re the nicest people you’ve ever met,” she said. The couple did what Thompson describes as the “touristy things,” jet boating and zorbing. Thompson was first introduced to zorbing watching a television show on extreme sports. Participants are strapped inside a large ball and rolled down a hill. “I saw it on TV. I wanted to do it,” she said. Not all of her activities were fast paced. Thompson relaxed in the natural hot springs abundant on the island country. The hot water is known to be healing to muscles and joints. Thompson’s winning streak is getting attention from sponsors and others in the powerlifting community. When she returned from New Zealand, she picked up another sponsor – Inzer Advance Design. The company makes lifting clothes designed to keep participants from getting hurt. The tight fabric protects muscles from strain. Thompson was also featured in “Power Mag” in an article about women who powerlift. “That tells me I’m getting places,” she said. Her next competition is the Feb. 8 Women’s Nationals in Chicago. Thompson will add the squat and deadlift to her routine.
|
|||||||||||
|
© 2001 Lincoln Times-News |
|||||||||||
|
||||||
|
