LAS VEGAS — It's often said that what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas; but when Gainesville's Tim "T" Moon of the Georgia IronDawgs bench presses in Las Vegas, that news resonates through the world of powerlifting.
This past weekend, Moon, 52, the benchpress all-time world record holder for men over 50, won both the Master's and Open Equipped divisions of the World Association of Benchers and Deadlifters (WABDL) World Championships for his 19th and 20th world titles of his career across various associations. It was also Moon's sixth major title bench title of the year. Earlier, he won the U.S. National Championships of the American Powerlifting Committee (APC) and World United Amateur Powerlifters (WUAP), as well as the prestigious Mr. Olympia, the WUAP World Master's title in Germany, and now both sides of the WABDL world's. His best lift this time was 327.5 kilograms -- a little over 722 pounds. He narrowly missed 756.
That was good enough for the two championships, plus two more "Best Lifter" awards.
The popular Moon, a 1982 graduate of Jefferson High, described it as an "endurance test" as he also helped out a number of other lifters with their programs.
"I'm tired, Moon said. "Well another trip to the desert gives me two more world championships in bench press. I now have 20. I almost didn't go. I'm glad I did. I know I'm blessed. I benched almost 100 pounds below my personal best. But I still won. Not only did I win, I got master's best lifter by formula for the day."
Moon tweaked a deltoid muscle on Friday, so he decided to let his lift roll over to the second day against the younger lifters.
"It was a strong field. I think there were seven competitors in my weight class," Moon said. "I won my weight class the second day. Also I won best lifter by formula in the open class. A lifter does not get a bonus for their age in the open class formula. It always means a little extra when the gray-bearded guy gets the win! I weighed in at 277.8, which is very light for my weight class of 308 pounds, so I am potentially competing against guys 30 pounds heavier than me.
"There were several hundred lifters from around the world at this meet. It feels good to defend our turf so to speak. At the end of the day there are three best lifter trophies, (heavy weight, middle weight, and light weight). The lightweight was won by a guy from Brazil, middle weight by a guy from Finland, and heavy weight by yours truly of the USA. Thanks to all who help me train, pray for me, and support me. I do train hard but I do recognize that God has truly made me strong!"
Moon says he's a bit "burned out and beat up" and will be taking some time off to rest and heal a bit.
"After the year he's had, he's earned it," said IronDawgs team captain R. Garry Glenn of Oakwood. "I hope the Gainesville area knows that one of the most elite athletes in the world calls Hall County home. The kicker is he's just as nice as he is strong -- a stout fellow in more ways than one."
