LAS VEGAS — In what might have been his last meet of the year, Gainesville weightlifter Tim "T" Moon -- and if so, what a way to finish.
Moon has been known to possibly overdo it on occasion. This time the 51-year-old Moon took home two world championships and two best lifter awards at the World Association of Benchers and Deadlifters World Championships in Las Vegas. Moon won both divisions, masters 47-53 and open 308 weight classes with his lift of 342.5 kilograms/ 755.01 pounds after weighing in at 284 pounds.
"I almost locked out 810 pounds on my second attempt but could not finish it," Moon Said. "I really enjoyed winning the Best Lifter award in the Open class. There were a lot of huge younger guys that I beat."
The second half of this year has been a whirlwind to say the least for Moon. During the last few months, he competed in four different championships in Las Vegas alone and won three of them as well as winning best lifter in two of them.
He also won two National titles and two World titles in Peoria, Illinois at the WUAP, winning best lifter in all of the competitions. He won another National title and Best Lifter at the APC Nationals in Athens. The only one that got away from Moon this year was the Olympia meet in Las Vegas when he did not get in a valid lift in the eyes of the judges.
"My biggest success this year was increasing my overall World record for anyone over 50 years of age including all weight classes, " Moon added. "I'm trying to set the bar high for the guys coming behind me. My record now stands at 821 pounds. Also in the middle of all that, I drove up to Nashville with my wife for a little weekend trip and won $1,000 with a lift of 805 pounds. I really haven't 'trained' since June. I've just been competing every couple of weeks. But I guess going heavy every two weeks has been good training for me," he said with a laugh.
Moon says his triceps muscles are worn out at this time and if he lifts in a late season meet next month, it will be a spur of the moment decision.
"Unlike last year,I finish this year with no physical pains and it has been a lot more enjoyable," he said. " I realize that I have been truely blessed and that God has made me strong. I do not take it for granted. I also enjoyed having my family travel with me and see me lift some this year."
"Who would have thought that meeting (Georgia IronDawg Team Captain) Garry Glenn at my first unsanctioned meet (at Gainesville High School) a few short years ago would have led to all this? He kinda showed me the ropes and the rest is, as they say, history. Thanks, brother," Moon said.
"T Moon is one of the best lifters of this or any other generation," Glenn added. "Gainesville and Jefferson should be proud to claim him."
Moon is a 1982 graduate of Jefferson High.
