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I don't think anyone expected that the edition of the Activlab competition for quantitative half-body press would bring so many surprises, emotions and sensational twists straight from a real thriller. There were situations both funny and tense. Much of this is due to both the even fight and the nature of the event itself - these are not competitions subject to any federation regulations, but an open event based only on our regulations. The final result could certainly be unequivocally decided only by a professional judge. But maybe one thing at a time...
Report from Częstochowa
A total of 16 determined and testosterone-charged flat bench fighters showed up for the competition at the "STREFA FITNESS" club. Right from the start, there were some interesting tidbits - one of the competitors was convinced that the competition was held in the max press system, and he almost withdrew from the start. How the competition turned out for him was certainly a surprise for him as well... What delighted us as organizers was the large crowd of fans. As it turned out, it was them who made the emotions reach their peak at the end of the event.
After registration and signing the competitors, we started the competition, in order from lightest to heaviest. The results of the first competitors were optimal, at an average level of 70 repetitions, so everyone was waiting for the first "hundred" of the competition to break. We did not have to wait long, when competitor number 6, Artur Garus, pressed 102 times and this in extremely difficult conditions for him: as an operator of a 40 kg weight (half the weight), he had two "tens" on a 20 kg bar, which started to "split apart" towards the end (there were no clamps so as not to add weight). Tomek Dojwa (technical judge) had to correct the load on his extension every few final repetitions, which looked funny at times, and quite dangerous at times. Despite this, Artur pressed a very good result and received a thunderous applause from the fans.
Before the next leader appeared on the bench, there were some minor technical problems: one of the clamps got stuck on the bar. Tomek and I struggled with the malicious contraption for a good few minutes, which significantly improved the mood of both the fans and the weaker competitors disappointed with their results. We capitulated, and in an atmosphere of general hilarity we had to replace the entire bar. Then the fight began again.
Krzysiek Michalczyk, a 42kg operator, appeared on the bench. It was obvious from the very beginning that his result would be one of the best in the competition, he pressed confidently and quickly up to 100. When he started to lack strength, he clearly used bridging, which already displeased the fans, who expressed their dissatisfaction. Krzysiek finished with 134 repetitions, but as a penalty we subtracted the last 3, where his buttocks practically did not touch the bench anymore. The final result: 131 repetitions and the fans' outrage, which later had consequences. As one of the judges, I suggested waiting until the end of the competition, after which we would make a judge's decision, hoping that maybe 3-4 competitors would beat his result, which would solve the disputed issue.
Another competitor, another good result: Zbyszek Sałata, who used a large 48-kilogram weight, pressed 102 repetitions. This was the second result ex aequo (together with Artek Garus), so things got interesting even then. But the best was yet to come.
The penultimate competitor, Kamil Nagalewski, appeared on the bench. Correct posture, correct weight for the press: 50 kg. It is worth mentioning that Kamil protested the loudest and most fervently against Krzysiek's technique, demanding that he be deducted about 40 repetitions for bridging. Kamil sat on the bench and in a nice, technical way pressed 110 repetitions, which according to the table gave him 2nd place. After him, another, the heaviest competitor appeared, but he was unable to change anything in the table.
After all the performances were over, we knew one thing right away: we would have a play-off for 3rd place! We had two competitors with a score of 102 repetitions, and both gentlemen agreed to a re-decision. After this decision, a "debate" began among the fans and competitors about the winner of the competition - it was clearly visible that both Krzysiek (1st place according to the table) and Kamil brought a large group of supporters with them, and at one point the situation was quite heated. Kamil did not want to accept Krzysiek's result, Krzysiek had a grudge against me that bridging is allowed "in a moderate way". We began to fear that the competitors would face off in the MMA J formula.
To calm the mood, we made the only right decision: a play-off for first place, which naturally did not please Krzysiek and his supporters, and the atmosphere became even more tense. Ultimately, Krzysiek showed fair play and agreed, for which he deserves words of appreciation. In this way, we had a precedent situation in the entire history of the competition: two play-offs for three places on the podium!
The competitors started with a tie score, fighting for 3rd place. As the one who appeared earlier and was less tired, Artek Garus sat down. This time he agreed to the clamps, operating with a slightly heavier weight than before, and did something worthy of admiration: he pressed almost as much as in the first series, i.e. exactly 100 repetitions! The fans rewarded this with applause, thinking that the fight for third place was already decided. But this was not the end of emotions in this extra time.
Zbyszek Sałata (nicknamed "Grandpa" among his friends) took up the fight, not intending to sell his sweaty T-shirt cheaply. And here it is worth adding that it was Zbyszek who was the competitor who was prepared for the max press formula, almost giving up the start! On the bench, he did something unheard of - he squeezed the result of the first series, i.e. 102 repetitions, for the second time! The result for third place was decided.
Time for a playoff for the leaders. In an atmosphere of commotion (fans), Krzysztof Michalczyk sat down first. We made it a point of honor to carefully observe the correctness of all repetitions in this fight. Krzysiek, after hyperventilation, meditation and a few complicated magical movements, sat down, grabbed the bar and started pumping. One hundred - nothing, he keeps going. One hundred and ten - it's good. One hundred and twenty... weakens. He starts to bridge slightly, he also lifts his shoulder blades. His result: 128 repetitions. By judge's decision, we subtract the last 8 repetitions. The whole club is boiling with emotions.
I can only imagine how Kamil must have felt then. Despite the pressure, he sat down and began to press 50kg like a professor. He did something incredible: he pressed 20 more reps than in the first series: 130 reps. But his joy was premature: although he did not lift his buttocks and shoulder blades off the bench, he pressed almost the entire time with a full torso arc, thanks to which he obtained a favorable angle of the bar pressing against the chest (so-called bottom pressing). Krzysztof's fans, of course, did not let this fact go, loudly demanding that a dozen reps be subtracted. Things got tense, and we were responsible for making a verdict, which was certainly not helped by the atmosphere among the fans.
In such circumstances, we made the only right, Solomon's decision: we award first place in the "Częstochowa Squeeze" competition to... both competitors. As judges, we were unable to determine which of the leaders had more correct repetitions - only a professional judge could make such a decision. The room fell silent, then... applause resounded, and the gentlemen shook hands. Applause for both of them, especially for Krzysztof, who agreed to a play-off. Both provided us with emotions that professional athletes would not be ashamed of.
There was still the matter of prizes and the cup, of which we had one for the winner. The prizes were divided equally between second and first place (second place was not awarded), but we decided about the cup by tossing a coin. Krzysiek chose first, betting on "heads" and he received the cup and medal for first place. I consider it fair, considering his fair play. Kamil will receive the cup and medal by post. We also decided to "average" the result for first place, according to which both gentlemen received a result of 128 repetitions on their diplomas.
Official results:
- place (equo): Krzysztof Michalak / Kamil Nagajewski – 128 repetitions (overtime)
3rd place: Zbigniew Sałata – 102 repetitions (after overtime)
The decoration took place in a friendly atmosphere, and the fans were clearly also pleased with the result. The photos from the decoration show a good, sporty atmosphere, and the gentlemen thanked each other for a close fight.
Patrick Sikora
Activlab Sales Representative
