Base firefighter shatters Idaho's powerlifting record

A firefighter from Mountain Home Air Force Base shattered two state record during a recent powerlifting meet in Nampa.

Wes Beach went on to win the Idaho State Powerlifting Championships in the masters raw division during the USA Powerlifting meet held Dec. 3.

Competing in the 242-pound weight class, Beach broke the existing state deadlift record of 445 pounds with a 605-pound deadlift. He went on to break the state's existing combined lift total of 1,200 pounds with a final tally of 1,405 pounds.

"To be honest, I was totally shocked when I found out that I broke the state records," Beach said. "I was confident that I could lift the weight but wasn't really aware of the actual state records (until later)."

People like Beach represent "powerful role models in the world of competitive sports," according to representatives with the USA Powerlifting organization. "Their dedication, hard work and winning attitudes are a testament to the purity of competition for the love of their sport."

Unlike other sports that turn a blind eye to prohibited substances to improve athletic ability, this sport stands apart, "in a world where steroids and other performance enhancing drugs have become the norm," officials added.

The base fire station captain entered the sport just six months prior, with the Nampa event his first official powerlifting meet. A martial artist with an extensive background in judo, the sport became a new way for him to remain competitive as his days of martial arts tournaments are entering what he called their "twilight years."

"I like the camaraderie of powerlifting, especially in the state's youth," he said. "It's good for them to be involved in this type of sport."

Different from traditional weight lifting, powerlifting features three different lifting events -- the squat, bench press and deadlift. These competitions may include one, two or all three of these lifting disciplines.

Categorized by gender, age and body weight, each competitor gains three attempts at each lift with the best lift in each discipline added to their total. In cases where two or more lifters achieve the same total, the person with the lightest body weight wins.

Over the years, Beach made a name for himself in the world of judo. In recent years, he's won six Idaho judo championships along with two silver medals during the 2008 World Firefighter games in Liverpool, England. Representing the United States at the 2009 Judo world cup in Birmingham, England, he went on to a fourth rank in 2009 and 2010.

A civilian employee, Beach became a firefighter with the base department 11 years ago. During those years, he served as the head coach for the Mountain Home Judo Club from 2005 to 2007 before he accepted a position with the fire department at RAF Menwith Hill, England, for four years.

He and his family recently returned to Mountain Home where he hopes to start a powerlifting club.

In addition to his standard martial arts and cardio training, the firefighter devotes one day a week specifically to powerlifting. Unlike regular weight lifting, the sport focuses on few repetitions with far greater intensity in terms of how much weight he's trying to lift.

But in spite of his commitment to athletic competition, he admits it's become a family affair of sorts. Two of his three children are also involved in judo with his oldest son looking at pursuing powerlifting.

Beach considers his new-found passion for powerlifting a fun alternative. He plans to continue "defying gravity" -- so to speak -- as long as it remains fun, he said.

Following his record-breaking finish earlier this month, he's already set his sights on national-level competition.

"I know that I can lift more," he said.