Training partners, new and old.

[HarryB]

I was just in Wgtn recently and ran into one of the very first guys I ever trained with. Made me think about how many people I have trained with over the years and which ones were most "influential" not only in the way in which I trained but also in the way in which I conducted myself and saw things.

It reminded me how much influence something as simple as training with someone and giving them your knowledge, leading them I guess, impacts on them. Both positively and negatively.

I thought it might be interesting to see how other guys and gals on the forum saw this and who the people that influenced them were. Or maybe I'm the only weird guy who finds influences interesting lol cos I know lots of guys on here are self made!

I'll go through mine when I'm sitting at a desk on a pc not typing away on my blackberry to battle insomnia.

[Ninja]

Not really a training partner but my biggeset influence was joining the macleans college weightlifting team when jono macfarlane (wookie) was in his last year of high school. Training with him and then Watching him squating and clean and pressing what he did inspired me to lift and keep lifting ever since.

I remember him clean and jerking some ridiculous weight in front of the school assembly maybe if he reads this he might remember exactly how much haha

[steak]

There's a couple of people who have influenced me.

When I was younger (20 or so) I trained with a few guys at our local gym then owned by John Goffin who was training his daughter Nicole in PL to compete at worlds level. The guys around him and the training they did sort of set me up for mine although I was bodybuilding. Nicole ended up being a great powerlifter setting and still holding many NZ records...she now lifts Oly and is making her mark as a master.

John and I became good friends over the years and even though as a local cop he'd kick my arse for being a shithead we managed to cement our friendship in later years through our love of fishing which was/is my business and his...he also went onto be a leading and innovative custom rod builder building the now famous Kojak brand.

When I started training my daughter just as John had with Nicole, I gathered a great deal of knowledge and support from him...often chatting, bouncing ideas and playing with numbers for hours.

The last time I saw him alive he came to the gym we are in now and with a nod of approval told me we had both come full circle and that he was proud of me for doing it the hard way and having the balls to be different. " "Dont be afraid to think outside the norm and tell them what you think too - no-one else is!"

I remember this vividly and can still feel the slap on the back I got as he left. He died in his sleep 2 days later. Gutted!

2 other people in NZ have also motivated me and been a strong influence.

Jono Macfarlane and Reuben Simanu. Both are outstanding strength athletes that need no introduction of course and I was very lucky to have both their support in the formative year of CBC. Reuben smashing out heavy benches and Jono bowling over sets of heavy fast squats in our humble 1st squat racks while us "mere mortals" watched on and got coached by them. I still dig up some of "Wookies" old footage for motivation today. Sadly the support in NZ from guys like these 3 is very thinly spread and its a real shame other great lifters don't "give back" like these guys have. I will also add that Nick Hansen, Matt Rossiter and Simon Weaver have all had a small part to play to.

[nate225]

Nates long list......

Krister Eriksson - my mate from highschool, the skinniest mofo you've ever met, but a strong little bastard! He was into Powerlifting & his older brother Stefan was into Olympic lifting. Krister dragged me into my first commercial gym as well as training a bit in the high school gym at Hastings Boys High.

Phil Emmett - I met Phil through Krister, at Physique 2000 gym, when I was about 15. Phil was already national PLing champ in the 82.5 / 90 division and had competed at IPF Worlds. He'd DL over 320 and very quickly taught me the basics of Powerlifting and got me into my first competition. After I quit BBing in 2000 I began to train in Phil's shed again and got back into PLing competitions. A staunch anti-drug man who won a bunch of BBing titles too.

Brent Carmen, Ben Post (aka Dirtyman & Pitbull! LOL :pfft: ). These too were my training partners in early university days. We lifted more than anyone in the Uni gym, but we also drank more! When we got serious about it Brent ended up over 125kg with 30"+ quads - he really pushed me along with his competitive style.

During Uni days I was influenced a lot by older guys I saw lifting, Brett Guthrie was a local lecturer and Powerlifter and often gave me pointers. As I moved into another commercial gym (cant remember name but was on Taonui St Palmy) Graeme SciaScia often assisted with training tips.

I trained with some top guys in Dunedin, Mike Tabb (Novice National winner 1997?), Eddie LaHood and many of the original Powerdome crew. I learnt a huge amount about bodybuilding in my first year before moving to Christchurch where my ‘education’ continued. Here I trained with Reuben Martin and Matt Ashworth (2nd NZ Strongest Man 1999), in Mike Debenham’s World Gym. I trained from time to time with a number of others and learnt a lot from guys like Dave Smith (IFBB Pro), Hugh Robinson and the large number of competitive BBers in the gym at that time (Sascha, Daniel Hibbs (Mr NZ), Carmen Cotter (IFBB Pro), Jamie Flynn etc).

When I moved to Wellington I trained with Logan Jensen (who went on to win Mr NZ twice and compete in Universe). I learnt a lot and continued building the work ethic I had built in Chch.

After ‘retiring’ from BBing in 2000 I went back to Powerlifting and training with Phil. I then met Nick Hansen, who was ‘bodybuilding’ at the time. I coached him and he went on to become 2 times National Powerlifting Champ and 3 times NZ Strongest Man. To be fair I would say I coached him for 12 months, then we coached each other – and beat shit out of each other in the gym. Was a good lesson seeing the apprentice beat the master!!

Steve Wattie was a solid training partner for many years, and went on from a 3 day erratic trainer to achieving his goal of competing in NZ Strongest Man. Sam Magele (multiple Strongman title holder) trained with us for about 6 months or so and made some major gains – pushing us hard in the process.

My latest training partner is somewhat different, for a start she’s a million times better looking than all the rest of my training partners! Lisa Gatman has gone from a newbie with very little idea about training, but with a HUGE work ethic and dedication from years of ballet training. She has trained with many of my training partners along the way (Steve, Reuben, Nick, Sam etc) and fitted in with the boys no problem. She adds another dimension to my bodybuilding – her knowledge of posture & movement has helped a lot with my posing. Also calls me out if I’m messing around – nothing like a girl half your size calling you a pussy! :grin:

I’ve probably trained with hundreds of others – I always organise something when I’m out of town or training at another gym. Others I’ve trained (or posed) with are Hamish Coulter, Supry Sos, Alex Hapuku, Steve Dack, Ethan Foote, Dan Charlton, Andrew Murray, Justin Keogh, Ross Reddington, Trevor Walker, Mark Mete, half of Powerhouse & Eastside Barbell Gyms, Alex Charlton, Matt Perryman, Jono MacFarlane, Matt Rossiter, even NZ Muscle Monster one time!! 

I’d like to thank all the guys I’ve learnt shit from, been spotted by etc. Really our sports (BBing, SM, PLing, Oly) are pretty individual in nature, but one thing I’ve learnt is you can’t get far in any of them without the help of a lot of others!

[M.T]

Gees you guys been around the block

I've had 2 tps that I can think of 1st was at City Fitness in Johnsonville Mike Williams, father of a friend of mine and we ended up being good mates through this went a good 2 years or so with him made some good newb gains more of a gym rat than anything serious built up a base for other sports that followed this would have been early 20's.

Later met up with Drizzt and still going strong there just over a year now and yeah most people have read about the gains we have gotten being new to PL don't see us slowing down anytime soon one of the best moves I have ever made coming into this sport with a great tp like Kiki.

For the past 6-8 weeks have been going solo and although the flexibility is there around training times and length of training I would much prefer to have a tp there not only for motivation and competition but also the safety aspect and feedback.

[Viking Power]

Nates long list......

Krister Eriksson - my mate from highschool, the skinniest mofo you've ever met, but a strong little bastard! He was into Powerlifting & his older brother Stefan was into Olympic lifting. Krister dragged me into my first commercial gym as well as training a bit in the high school gym at Hastings Boys High.

Phil Emmett - I met Phil through Krister, at Physique 2000 gym, when I was about 15. Phil was already national PLing champ in the 82.5 / 90 division and had competed at IPF Worlds. He'd DL over 320 and very quickly taught me the basics of Powerlifting and got me into my first competition. After I quit BBing in 2000 I began to train in Phil's shed again and got back into PLing competitions. A staunch anti-drug man who won a bunch of BBing titles too.

Brent Carmen, Ben Post (aka Dirtyman & Pitbull! LOL :pfft: ). These too were my training partners in early university days. We lifted more than anyone in the Uni gym, but we also drank more! When we got serious about it Brent ended up over 125kg with 30"+ quads - he really pushed me along with his competitive style.

During Uni days I was influenced a lot by older guys I saw lifting, Brett Guthrie was a local lecturer and Powerlifter and often gave me pointers. As I moved into another commercial gym (cant remember name but was on Taonui St Palmy) Graeme SciaScia often assisted with training tips.

I trained with some top guys in Dunedin, Mike Tabb (Novice National winner 1997?), Eddie LaHood and many of the original Powerdome crew. I learnt a huge amount about bodybuilding in my first year before moving to Christchurch where my ‘education’ continued. Here I trained with Reuben Martin and Matt Ashworth (2nd NZ Strongest Man 1999), in Mike Debenham’s World Gym. I trained from time to time with a number of others and learnt a lot from guys like Dave Smith (IFBB Pro), Hugh Robinson and the large number of competitive BBers in the gym at that time (Sascha, Daniel Hibbs (Mr NZ), Carmen Cotter (IFBB Pro), Jamie Flynn etc).

When I moved to Wellington I trained with Logan Jensen (who went on to win Mr NZ twice and compete in Universe). I learnt a lot and continued building the work ethic I had built in Chch.

After ‘retiring’ from BBing in 2000 I went back to Powerlifting and training with Phil. I then met Nick Hansen, who was ‘bodybuilding’ at the time. I coached him and he went on to become 2 times National Powerlifting Champ and 3 times NZ Strongest Man. To be fair I would say I coached him for 12 months, then we coached each other – and beat shit out of each other in the gym. Was a good lesson seeing the apprentice beat the master!!

Steve Wattie was a solid training partner for many years, and went on from a 3 day erratic trainer to achieving his goal of competing in NZ Strongest Man. Sam Magele (multiple Strongman title holder) trained with us for about 6 months or so and made some major gains – pushing us hard in the process.

My latest training partner is somewhat different, for a start she’s a million times better looking than all the rest of my training partners! Lisa Gatman has gone from a newbie with very little idea about training, but with a HUGE work ethic and dedication from years of ballet training. She has trained with many of my training partners along the way (Steve, Reuben, Nick, Sam etc) and fitted in with the boys no problem. She adds another dimension to my bodybuilding – her knowledge of posture & movement has helped a lot with my posing. Also calls me out if I’m messing around – nothing like a girl half your size calling you a pussy! :grin:

I’ve probably trained with hundreds of others – I always organise something when I’m out of town or training at another gym. Others I’ve trained (or posed) with are Hamish Coulter, Supry Sos, Alex Hapuku, Steve Dack, Ethan Foote, Dan Charlton, Andrew Murray, Justin Keogh, Ross Reddington, Trevor Walker, Mark Mete, half of Powerhouse & Eastside Barbell Gyms, Alex Charlton, Matt Perryman, Jono MacFarlane, Matt Rossiter, even NZ Muscle Monster one time!! 

I’d like to thank all the guys I’ve learnt shit from, been spotted by etc. Really our sports (BBing, SM, PLing, Oly) are pretty individual in nature, but one thing I’ve learnt is you can’t get far in any of them without the help of a lot of others!

Gym name = New Body Fitness

[Chemo]

Nates long list......

Krister Eriksson - my mate from highschool, the skinniest mofo you've ever met, but a strong little bastard! He was into Powerlifting & his older brother Stefan was into Olympic lifting. Krister dragged me into my first commercial gym as well as training a bit in the high school gym at Hastings Boys High.

Phil Emmett - I met Phil through Krister, at Physique 2000 gym, when I was about 15. Phil was already national PLing champ in the 82.5 / 90 division and had competed at IPF Worlds. He'd DL over 320 and very quickly taught me the basics of Powerlifting and got me into my first competition. After I quit BBing in 2000 I began to train in Phil's shed again and got back into PLing competitions. A staunch anti-drug man who won a bunch of BBing titles too.

Brent Carmen, Ben Post (aka Dirtyman & Pitbull! LOL :pfft: ). These too were my training partners in early university days. We lifted more than anyone in the Uni gym, but we also drank more! When we got serious about it Brent ended up over 125kg with 30"+ quads - he really pushed me along with his competitive style.

During Uni days I was influenced a lot by older guys I saw lifting, Brett Guthrie was a local lecturer and Powerlifter and often gave me pointers. As I moved into another commercial gym (cant remember name but was on Taonui St Palmy) Graeme SciaScia often assisted with training tips.

I trained with some top guys in Dunedin, Mike Tabb (Novice National winner 1997?), Eddie LaHood and many of the original Powerdome crew. I learnt a huge amount about bodybuilding in my first year before moving to Christchurch where my ‘education’ continued. Here I trained with Reuben Martin and Matt Ashworth (2nd NZ Strongest Man 1999), in Mike Debenham’s World Gym. I trained from time to time with a number of others and learnt a lot from guys like Dave Smith (IFBB Pro), Hugh Robinson and the large number of competitive BBers in the gym at that time (Sascha, Daniel Hibbs (Mr NZ), Carmen Cotter (IFBB Pro), Jamie Flynn etc).

When I moved to Wellington I trained with Logan Jensen (who went on to win Mr NZ twice and compete in Universe). I learnt a lot and continued building the work ethic I had built in Chch.

After ‘retiring’ from BBing in 2000 I went back to Powerlifting and training with Phil. I then met Nick Hansen, who was ‘bodybuilding’ at the time. I coached him and he went on to become 2 times National Powerlifting Champ and 3 times NZ Strongest Man. To be fair I would say I coached him for 12 months, then we coached each other – and beat shit out of each other in the gym. Was a good lesson seeing the apprentice beat the master!!

Steve Wattie was a solid training partner for many years, and went on from a 3 day erratic trainer to achieving his goal of competing in NZ Strongest Man. Sam Magele (multiple Strongman title holder) trained with us for about 6 months or so and made some major gains – pushing us hard in the process.

My latest training partner is somewhat different, for a start she’s a million times better looking than all the rest of my training partners! Lisa Gatman has gone from a newbie with very little idea about training, but with a HUGE work ethic and dedication from years of ballet training. She has trained with many of my training partners along the way (Steve, Reuben, Nick, Sam etc) and fitted in with the boys no problem. She adds another dimension to my bodybuilding – her knowledge of posture & movement has helped a lot with my posing. Also calls me out if I’m messing around – nothing like a girl half your size calling you a pussy! :grin:

I’ve probably trained with hundreds of others – I always organise something when I’m out of town or training at another gym. Others I’ve trained (or posed) with are Hamish Coulter, Supry Sos, Alex Hapuku, Steve Dack, Ethan Foote, Dan Charlton, Andrew Murray, Justin Keogh, Ross Reddington, Trevor Walker, Mark Mete, half of Powerhouse & Eastside Barbell Gyms, Alex Charlton, Matt Perryman, Jono MacFarlane, Matt Rossiter, even NZ Muscle Monster one time!! 

I’d like to thank all the guys I’ve learnt shit from, been spotted by etc. Really our sports (BBing, SM, PLing, Oly) are pretty individual in nature, but one thing I’ve learnt is you can’t get far in any of them without the help of a lot of others!

Steve Dack....massive unit

[tomsammce]

Joining first gym over 10years ago which was don olivers in glen Eden and watching steven Oliver lifting inspired me to go hard and want to be massive and strong at 15 I was too scared to approach him but just watching inspired me.

I'm not a fan of training partners mostly because I want to do what I wanna do not what you wanna do. Trained with my younger brother everyday for over 2 years before I got kicked out the gym for juicing we then went to Les mills new Lynn and trained together there Those were good times where big weights were pushed for our age.

He persued other shit and I just carried on. Training partners mostly just let you down in the end if they aren't elite athletes. Jobs, sluzzas, family gets in the way of Joe bloggs.

[HarryB]

I started training when I was very young, 12. High school weights.. bench press, cleans and curls with a bunch of my mates. They all had well rounded personalities so lifting weights every day just wasn't their thing.

Did Olympic lifting at 14 mostly because they had more weights there than they did at my little school gym or at my home set up. (home made bench and squat rack at this stage and about 150k of plates) Met a guy there named Ralph Wipi or something like that. First guy I saw in the flesh with great big arms and veins all over the place. Big strong bodybuilder build. IMagine how much I cried when I spoke to him and realised he was only a couple of years older then me. Definitely made me lift my workrate. Trained with one of my brothers back then.

AT 17 when I started working in the city I met guys like Ewan Greg and Steve Lynch and the guy who turned out to become such a massive mentor in the gym and in life for me... a guy named Greg Ryan. He'd just moved back from aus when I met him and he was massive... well to me back then he was. Hell if I saw him now he'd still be massive. A natural 65k frame but built up to about 105 and lean as hell, always abs, massive round arms, bowling ball delts and tiny tiny waist. I started training with him when I was 20, was him, Hayden Wineera, my cousin Anthony Smith and little old me. I had the good fortune at that stage to train with and meet a lot of really awesome guys. Competed with guys who everyone seems to know. Met darryn Onekawa when he was just a teenager with masses of potential but who would have thought he'd turn into the monster he is now. Garth McManaway, Paul Lechemenant, Paul Wood, Paul (fatboy) Wigbes, Andre the frickin giant from masterton, Mike K, Mike D, Joe Ullberg. I think Gasp said in another thread that it was an awesome time back then. Bodybuilding was a lot smaller community and even though everyone hated everyone LOL we all got on. Lessons about behaviour I learnt then from Greg I carry with me now. It's one of the reason I think it's important to be aware of how you treat people. Everyone remembers when they were a beginner and someone was a dick to them. I sure do.

Moved to sydney at 24 and trained with my cousin at a gym owned by one of australias best amateurs for many years Peter Wall. Learnt a lot about how NOT to behave from him, vey smart guy but just a dickbag. Was fortunate enough to train with BJ Johns and Kevin O'Grady for a while. BJ passed away... he was a gentleman and anyone who knows Kevin will tell you what an awesome guy he is and what a powerhouse he was! Work ethic plus. In my mid 20's these guys were great role models because of the way people reacted to them. I would sit and watch as guys would come and talk to Kevin with great respect and have a laugh with BJ and well... you could just see they were good guys, upstanding and respected. Such a positive impact on people. I liked that aspect. They also showed me that bodybuilding at a higher level was achievable and they were just 2 normal guys training their asses off day in and day out and more than anything... just normal blokes. No mystery or crazy aura.

Those were the formative years. OH and I have to say I trained with my younger brother a hell of a lot after he moved to sydney when I was about 26. He was my best training partner. Strong and strong minded. never juiced but just a natural powerhouse. No interest in bodybuilding other than in supporting me and helping me be my best.

I guess in the latter years I trained with loads of people, some pros who none of you guys would know I imagine. Mic Kypreos, Charlie Duca, Vic Dmitriyev and a few others. And lots of just normal guys who loved training and who I still train with when I can.

What I like now and I am sure some of the older guys will also attest to... is when some huge guy rocks up and shakes your hand and thanks you for the time you took with him when he was starting out. It's humbling cos I remember being that young bloke.. (although not huge)

I am sure for a lot of guys this is a boring thread but I have enjoyed reading what people have written so far and it's something I always think about when I meet people in bodybuilding. Who their influences were and what patterns I see in guys who trained under certain people coming up.

[whiterhyno]

Nice read Harry

Had to laugh about Paul fat boy Wigbes.

Remember starting out and hearing all the stories about him Justin, Hayden and I'm sure your name was thrown in there

He was always great to talk to as was Justin about all sorts and the knowledge gained was invaluable.

Even though it's more mainstream now it was great when it was mid to late 90's and some good friendly rivalries

[HarryB]

Nice read Harry

Had to laugh about Paul fat boy Wigbes.

Remember starting out and hearing all the stories about him Justin, Hayden and I'm sure your name was thrown in there

He was always great to talk to as was Justin about all sorts and the knowledge gained was invaluable.

Even though it's more mainstream now it was great when it was mid to late 90's and some good friendly rivalries

We used to call him santa... never forget he had a fight in the gym one day with some guy and they went through a mirror.. was more like a schoolyard tussle ha ha ha ha

It was different then, not better not worse just different.

[whiterhyno]

Nice read Harry

Had to laugh about Paul fat boy Wigbes.

Remember starting out and hearing all the stories about him Justin, Hayden and I'm sure your name was thrown in there

He was always great to talk to as was Justin about all sorts and the knowledge gained was invaluable.

Even though it's more mainstream now it was great when it was mid to late 90's and some good friendly rivalries

We used to call him santa... never forget he had a fight in the gym one day with some guy and they went through a mirror.. was more like a schoolyard tussle ha ha ha ha

It was different then, not better not worse just different.

Brilliant, never forget I was told his pre contest diet consisted of baked beans on toast hahaha

In fairness I saw photos of him on stage and he looked bloody good

[HarryB]

Nice read Harry

Had to laugh about Paul fat boy Wigbes.

Remember starting out and hearing all the stories about him Justin, Hayden and I'm sure your name was thrown in there

He was always great to talk to as was Justin about all sorts and the knowledge gained was invaluable.

Even though it's more mainstream now it was great when it was mid to late 90's and some good friendly rivalries

We used to call him santa... never forget he had a fight in the gym one day with some guy and they went through a mirror.. was more like a schoolyard tussle ha ha ha ha

It was different then, not better not worse just different.

Brilliant, never forget I was told his pre contest diet consisted of baked beans on toast hahaha

In fairness I saw photos of him on stage and he looked bloody good

Lol I beat him ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha

[whiterhyno]

We used to call him santa... never forget he had a fight in the gym one day with some guy and they went through a mirror.. was more like a schoolyard tussle ha ha ha ha

It was different then, not better not worse just different.

Brilliant, never forget I was told his pre contest diet consisted of baked beans on toast hahaha

In fairness I saw photos of him on stage and he looked bloody good

Lol I beat him ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha

Awesome

Not sure what he's up to now

Be good to see you back up there this year in the Welly show

[HarryB]

Brilliant, never forget I was told his pre contest diet consisted of baked beans on toast hahaha

In fairness I saw photos of him on stage and he looked bloody good

Lol I beat him ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha

Awesome

Not sure what he's up to now

Be good to see you back up there this year in the Welly show

He was in jail for a bit... maybe still? He was a bit of a scammer. A decent bodybuilder though and he had those massive calves!! Like crazy massive.

I am much much smaller than him, I think I was up to about his shoulder ha ha ha ha ha

I am very much looking forward to competing again. Nerve wracking really cos it's been so long but definitely amped about it.

[whiterhyno]

Lol I beat him ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha

Awesome

Not sure what he's up to now

Be good to see you back up there this year in the Welly show

He was in jail for a bit... maybe still? He was a bit of a scammer. A decent bodybuilder though and he had those massive calves!! Like crazy massive.

I am much much smaller than him, I think I was up to about his shoulder ha ha ha ha ha

I am very much looking forward to competing again. Nerve wracking really cos it's been so long but definitely amped about it.

Scammer Haha nothing had changed than. He was always scheming something

Heard he got stopped at customs (domestic flight) with nunchux going to sort someone out.

When was your last show?

Hopefully be competitive as nationals won't be long after

[HarryB]

Sort someone out? That's funny, he was such a pansy lol...

My last show was in 05.. so a long time ago now, I was onstage at 101... I want to be around 100 this time and see how I go. Not sure about doing nationals just focus on wgtn. If I go ok maybe I will do nationals in NZ and maybe nationals over here but tbh I am just looking forward to doing a show at home and this forum has actually had a hell of a lot to do with my desire to compete again.

[nate225]

Big Dawg -

Your list reads like a who's who of the guys I looked up at in awe when I was a teen/early twenties. Massive brother.

Does it make you say "back in the days, BBing was really something"....does for me. :nod:

[Danomyte]

With Oly Lifting being so small in NZ, I've been lucky to train with some of NZs best weightlifters over the last 10-years - Richie Paterson was the guy that got me into weightlifting - we went to Uni together. I've trained with Richie, Mark Spooner, Grant Cavit, Stas Chalaev, Tevita Ngalu, Marea Teoki and had Nigel Avery and Richard Dryden as my first coaches.

I've had some really good training partners over the years that taught me alot, but one particular guy named Yukio Peter (Nauru) stands out for me.

He was my training partner during my 3-month stint at the Oceania Weightlifting Institute in New Caledonia under weightlifting guru Paul Coffa. He weighed 77kg, snatched 157kg and cj 200kg - world class weightlifter and good mate

Yukio's cj training were ridiculous - he'd go straight to 70kg x 2 (no bar warm up), 110 x 2, 160 x 1, 180 x 1 - all in under 5-mins. Here's a vid of him snatching 157kg at 77kg last year.

[HarryB]

Big Dawg -

Your list reads like a who's who of the guys I looked up at in awe when I was a teen/early twenties. Massive brother.

Does it make you say "back in the days, BBing was really something"....does for me. :nod:

I was just a young fella and did what I was told to ha ha ha ha I like that as I have come up I have maintained some good relationships with a lot of those guys. (some not so much LOL)

It was a good time, just different from now is all.

[HarryB]

With Oly Lifting being so small in NZ, I've been lucky to train with some of NZs best weightlifters over the last 10-years - Richie Paterson was the guy that got me into weightlifting - we went to Uni together. I've trained with Richie, Mark Spooner, Grant Cavit, Stas Chalaev, Tevita Ngalu, Marea Teoki and had Nigel Avery and Richard Dryden as my first coaches.

I've had some really good training partners over the years that taught me alot, but one particular guy named Yukio Peter (Nauru) stands out for me.

He was my training partner during my 3-month stint at the Oceania Weightlifting Institute in New Caledonia under weightlifting guru Paul Coffa. He weighed 77kg, snatched 157kg and cj 200kg - world class weightlifter and good mate

Yukio's cj training were ridiculous - he'd go straight to 70kg x 2 (no bar warm up), 110 x 2, 160 x 1, 180 x 1 - all in under 5-mins. Here's a vid of him snatching 157kg at 77kg last year.

That's awesome... I grew up in nauru.. well as a kid until about 12. I should have stayed there LOL

[Danomyte]

With Oly Lifting being so small in NZ, I've been lucky to train with some of NZs best weightlifters over the last 10-years - Richie Paterson was the guy that got me into weightlifting - we went to Uni together. I've trained with Richie, Mark Spooner, Grant Cavit, Stas Chalaev, Tevita Ngalu, Marea Teoki and had Nigel Avery and Richard Dryden as my first coaches.

I've had some really good training partners over the years that taught me alot, but one particular guy named Yukio Peter (Nauru) stands out for me.

He was my training partner during my 3-month stint at the Oceania Weightlifting Institute in New Caledonia under weightlifting guru Paul Coffa. He weighed 77kg, snatched 157kg and cj 200kg - world class weightlifter and good mate

Yukio's cj training were ridiculous - he'd go straight to 70kg x 2 (no bar warm up), 110 x 2, 160 x 1, 180 x 1 - all in under 5-mins. Here's a vid of him snatching 157kg at 77kg last year.

That's awesome... I grew up in nauru.. well as a kid until about 12. I should have stayed there LOL

That's awesome!!! Love the Naruans - humble, tough people. Heaps of the Nauruan lifters are good mate of mine. I tried picking up the language, but too hard lol.

You're lucky you spent time there bro - I'm gonna visit one day after I retire Shot bro.