Tim Moon breaks record, wraps huge event at world championships in Germany

Gainesville's Tim "T" Moon is used to awing the weightlifting crowd in his hometown and even around the nation, but last week, Moon took the opportunity to wow lifters from around the world.

The 49-year-old powerlifter and member of Georgia IronDawgs Powerlifting Team won both his age division and weight class at the WUAP World Championships -- setting two world records in the process.

Lifting in the 140-kilogram class (308.6 pounds) at a bodyweight of around 279 pounds, Moon bench pressed a record 343 kgs (756.18 pounds)

"It's a great meet and has been real fun seeing Germany with my daughter Lindsay, Moon said. "It's a real honor to stand on podium with lifters from around the globe and to hear my national anthem played, it's a real honor. They only played national anthem for best lifter."

Moon, who battles diabetes, noted that the competition was far from easy.

"I'm very tired. My blood sugar has been all over the place," Moon said. "It's difficult trying to adjust with the change of food and time changes. They drink mainly carbonated water, which I hate -- it's a little difficult to find regular water. At the competition they have beer, sodas, juices, carbonated water.

"The competition for the day was very exciting and competitive. I was gunning for best lifter again. But it was not to be. I opened with 322.5 (pounds) but the bar placement was wrong so I missed it. This messed up my plans. I retook it for my second attempt and it was good. I wanted to go to 347.5, but the guy in second place was trying 327.5 so I lowered my goal to 330. He missed and I was successful, so I was awarded a fourth attempt for the 140-kg open world record. I only had a three minute break. And I got it (343 kg). The crowd went nuts. It was heaviest lift of the day to that point.

"Unfortunately fourth attempts do not count toward totals. So after winning champion of champions yesterday I took second place for over all best lifter. But i did win my weight class."

Moon will take a few more days to take in the sights of Germany before heading back home, with yet more trophies.