Powerlifting brothers win WNPF competition, break several records

Posted by the Times-Beacon Newspapers on 08/2/06

STAFF REPORT

Shawn Darling at Gladiator Boxing in Forked River certainly has a good stable of young competitors among the weightlifting ranks.

Last weekend, two more of his students, Lex and Steve Knapp of Lanoka Harbor , took first place and broke several records during the World Natural Powerlifting Federation's New Jersey State Powerlifting Championships at the Ramada Inn in Bordentown.

Lex Knapp, 12, won the bench press and dead lift competitions in the 11/12 age division's 165-pound class. Lex bench pressed 100 pounds and hoisted 215 pounds in the dead lift both of which were state and national records.

Steve Knapp, 11, won the bench press and dead lift competitions in the 11/12 age division's 80-pound class. While his bench press of 75 pounds was both a state and national record, Steve's dead lift of 95 pounds was a state record.

Win the victories, the brothers qualified for the WNPF World Championships, which will be held in Atlantic City in October.

"Lex and Steve train at my gym for both boxing and powerlifting," Darling said. "I am very proud of their achievements."