DONIVAN Benavente Mendiola claimed another trophy with a recorded lift of 555 pounds to finish first in the 90kg weight class of the Strongest Man Deadlift competition at the K-16 Seoul Air Base in South Korea.
A U.S. Army soldier from the CNMI, SSG Mendiola performed flawlessly as he gradually built momentum through three compound lifts. He started with a successful squat lift of 525lbs and pushed further to record 545lbs while maximizing a deadlift of 555lbs to secure the top spot with an accumulated a total of 1,405lbs.
Mendiola was satisfied with the training that led to another title win. “Honestly, it feels great to know that all the hard work, commitment and dedication to the sport continue to show through my results. It’s a very humbling sport. Some days may be good and some bad. I am just glad that today I was able to get the weight off the ground and complete the lift successfully. Winning while doing so is just a bonus for me,” he said.
Despite competing in an unfamiliar weight class, Mendiola said the competition felt the same. “I just had to make sure I pushed myself during the lifts and be confident. Once doubt sets into your mind in a heavy lift the possibility of it going up is minimal,” Mendiola said.
Before stepping on the stage, not much was going through Mendiola’s mind as he stuck to his usual routine by “having my favorite music playing, warming up and getting ready to lift some heavy weight. I stayed focused at the task at hand and went after what I believed in.”
With another title in the bag, Mendiola will be taking his talents to Huntsville, Alabama. “I look forward to training out there, competing and taking this sport of power lifting as far as I can.”
A multi-athlete, he will also try out for the track team of Alabama A&M University where he wants to take part in the shotput, discus and hammer throw events.
“I would like to thank my wife for always supporting me with everything I do,” he said. “I believe that without a great support system you will not be able to be successful in life. I would like to thank my [Army] unit, Tango Security Force, for allowing me to compete in said events. Ultimately, I’d like to thank my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for blessing me with the ability to do great things and continue to crush my goals as they come,” Mendiola added.
Before the deadlift event, Mendiola also participated in a CrossFit competition in which the participants must complete a 1000m row, 50 pushups, 40 air squats, 30 pull ups, 20 burpees, and a 1000m run within a time cap of 30 minutes.
Mendiola completed the challenge in 14 minutes and 16 seconds.
SSG Donivan Mendiola, a U.S. Army soldier from the CNMI, successfully lifts 555lbs to win first place in the 90kg weight class of the Strongest Man Deadlift competition at the K-16 Seoul Air Base, in South Korea.
