DONIVAN Mendiola of the CNMI added another trophy to his collection after winning the 1,000lb club championship of an Area 2 K16/Yongsan Garrison powerlifting event on May 20, 2023.
Area 2 K16/Yongsan Garrison is a U.S. Army garrison in Seoul, South Korea.
Mendiola usually competes in bodybuilding, basketball, athletics, and in the Hell of the Marianas races and marathons. He is now into powerlifting as well.
“I guess I just love the feeling of competition and trying new things,” he said. “I decided to join a powerlifting event back in December to see what my numbers would be as a test and a feeler. I enjoyed the environment and how intense the competition was,” he added.
Mendiola then decided to train for the next event which happened on May 20, 2023. He managed to increase his numbers from 1,195lbs to 1,330lbs. “I know I can do better than that but it’s all in time,” he said.
The preparation for the competition was the fun part, Mendiola said. “I enjoy lifting heavy weights. The adrenaline and just the feeling of being able to lift 500 plus pounds off the floor or squatting almost 500 pounds is nothing less but amazing. Like they say, ‘The iron never lies,’ which means you can either lift it or you can’t.”
“In order to prepare,” Mendiola added, “my main program consisted of percentages for my lifts. I would start at 60% and build off throughout the weeks up to my one rep max. Then de-load and restart again. I tweaked it a bit with block lifts and accessories (bodybuilding) to keep the negatives strong and to allow myself to be strong in all aspects of the game.”
In the end, Mendiola squatted 460lbs, with a bench of 320lbs, and a deadlift of 550lbs for a total weight of 1,330lbs to clinch first place in the 1,000lb championship event of Area 2 K16/Yongsan Garrison.
“I would like to thank my wife for always supporting me in every sport I decide to compete in,” he said. “And for loving me throughout all of it as well. I would also like to thank my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. ‘I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.’ I would also like to thank my unit, 8th Army HHBN TANGO SF [Headquarters and Headquarters Company of the 8th Army Special Forces] for always allowing me to compete in these awesome competitions.”
Donivan Mendiola, left, poses with the overall champion plaque after winning a powerlifting event on May 20, 2023 at a U.S. military base in Seoul, South Korea.
