“Defending My IPL World Championship Title Against All Odds in Elefsina, Greece”

The 2024 IPL World Championship in Elefsina, Greece, was a moment I had been training for all year. As the reigning champion, I knew that defending my title was going to be no easy feat, especially with the intense competition I was facing. But I wasn’t prepared for the unexpected challenge that would test me far beyond what I ever imagined—one that almost ended my title defense before it even began.

The Unexpected Setback

Everything started off like any other competition. I had trained relentlessly in the months leading up to Elefsina, focusing on perfecting my lifts, building strength, and refining my technique. When I arrived in Greece, I was ready. The crowd was electric, the atmosphere was incredible, and I was determined to walk away as champion again.

But as soon as I finished my squat attempts, things went wrong.

It happened after my last squat: I hit my first two lifts and the weight was moving smooth, so for my last attempt I decided to go big. 300kg, a huge 10kg PR for me and a long time goal. Unracked, hit depth, walked it back in and as soon as I saw the 3 white lights for a “good lift” I jumped in celebration….. 296# going airborne is never a good idea. When I landed my left ankle did a full 90* in the wrong direction.

I was given a moment to regroup, and the medical staff rushed to assess the injury. They said it was likely a sprain, but there was no way to be sure until I had a chance to rest and see how it felt. The clock was ticking, and I knew my competition was only going to get more intense. 

In that moment, I could have easily walked away. The pain was real, and the fear of further injury was there. But I wasn’t going to quit—not like this. Not in front of the crowd, not after all the work I had put in. I knew that if I could still move, I could still compete.

Pushing Through the Pain

I made the decision to continue, but it wasn’t going to be easy. My ankle was clearly injured, and every movement I made only reminded me of the pain. But in powerlifting, there’s a saying: You don’t stop when you’re tired, you stop when you’re done. That’s how I approached the next part of the competition—one lift at a time.

The squats were done thankfully, so I had some time to plan for bench and deadlift. I adjusted my form to take some of the pressure off my ankle, I bench with my heels up so it was challenging. It wasn’t perfect, but I was still able to complete my first 2 attempts. On my last attempt I dug my toes in to get leg drive going and the pain in my ankle hit me like a Mac truck. Thankfully the pit crew was on point and I was able to safely rack to weight. The crowd could see what I was going through, and their support was overwhelming. Standing on the platform of the World Championship, hearing people from all over the world cheer, gave me the strength to push through.

I wasn’t just lifting to win; I was lifting to prove something to myself. I had put in years of training, sacrifice, and effort to get here. And now, with my ankle screaming in pain, I wasn’t going to let an injury stop me from achieving my goal.

As the competition moved to bench press and deadlifts, I had to find new ways to protect my ankle while still hitting my numbers. I wasn’t going to compromise on my performance—I knew how important these lifts were to securing the win. The injury was a constant reminder, but I blocked it out, focusing only on the next lift.

Securing the Win

By the time the deadlifts came around, the tension in the room was palpable. My injury was now part of the story, and everyone could see how hard I was working to finish strong. When it was time for my final pull, I was exhausted—physically and mentally. The pain in my ankle was relentless, but there was no turning back now.

I focused, locked in on the bar, and with everything I had left, I pulled that weight off the ground. It wasn’t pretty, but it was enough to secure the win. The crowd went wild as I lowered the bar and stood tall. 

I had done it. I had defended my IPL World Championship title.

A Victory of Resilience

After the competition, I reflected on what this victory meant. It wasn’t just about the title—it was about pushing through every obstacle, every ounce of pain, and every moment of doubt. This was more than a physical challenge. It was a test of my mental toughness and my determination to keep going, even when everything inside me was telling me to quit.

There were moments when I wasn’t sure I could finish the competition. But I reminded myself why I started: to prove to myself that no matter what, I would always give my best. I knew my body was capable of more than I could imagine, and that resilience was what carried me through.

“This win is different,” I said after the event. “It’s not just about the lifting; it’s about proving that you can overcome anything. No matter what happens, you don’t quit.”

Looking Ahead

This victory in Elefsina was a reminder of how much strength we have, not just in our muscles, but in our minds. The road to becoming a champion isn’t just paved with triumphs—it’s made up of the failures and challenges you overcome along the way. 

As I stood on the podium, holding my medal, I couldn’t help but feel grateful for the journey. This wasn’t just another title for me. It was a testament to the fact that sometimes the hardest battles are the ones you win against yourself. And I came out of this one stronger—physically, mentally, and emotionally.

I’m already looking ahead, setting my sights on the next challenge, but for now, I’ll savor this victory. I’ll savor the moment I proved to myself that resilience, more than anything, is what makes a champion.

No matter what happens next, I know one thing for sure: I’ll keep going. Because that’s what champions do. Go, Get, It!