After winning in 2021 and again in 2023, Traffix Area Director (England East) Dean Horsley is the current Masters 2 British Powerlifting Champion. The holder of this title is automatically invited to compete in the 2023 Arnold Classics event, held in Madrid.
A triumphant Dean takes up the story…
“For some reason they missed me off the original roster so two weeks prior to the event I actually received my invitation. I wasn’t actually ready for the event as I was in what’s called the ‘deload’ section of my training, so it was hit and miss whether I was actually going to be ready to compete.
“I approached Traffix and asked if they it would be so kind as to offer me a little bit of sponsorship. The trip itself was in excess of one thousand pounds, luckily for me the company agreed to sponsor me for the entire event. With the money side of things sorted, I had to switch my training to get as close to peak condition as I possible. Although not ideal, I managed to achieve this within two weeks.
“When I arrived in Madrid I had to weigh in the day before my lifts, I went to the venue and weighed in at 10 kilogrammes underweight, which again wasn’t ideal. However, I’ve competed for long enough to have a routine that suits me during competitions, so I relaxed at the hotel and ate what I needed to get my strength up.
“On the day there were nine competitors in my Class Masters 2, they were all lifting very well and there were a few mind games going on. The way the competition works is that you lift what weight you want on a squat and for your second lift you tell them what you would like to lift next, so you go with whatever you think will intimidate the closest person to you.
“Unfortunately, your opponents are thinking the same, so when it came down to first second or third place there was me, a Polish lifter and a Latvian lifter. It came down to the dead lifts, luckily for me because my weight was the lightest, I was lifting last so I knew what I had to beat.
“I looked at the board to see what weight was needed, entered my deadlift number and stepped onto the stage. I have never lifted this weight before in competition, only in the gym. I cleared my mind and went through the prep moment of the lift in my head – take the slack out the bar / pull my lats tights / chest out / head up / speed of the floor and lift.
“For what felt like hours the bar didn’t leave the floor, however, then it started to rise. In my head I was waiting for the bar to get to my knees so I could engage my back to finish the lift and lock out. All of a sudden it was BOOM! Three white lights go on and I’ve won!”
What’s next for Dean?
“I will be competing in the British Championship again in June 2024 and later that year I will be attempting to take on the IPL World Championships. I may even attempt the Mr Universe Championships should I get an invite.
“I must thank Traffix for their fantastic support. I couldn’t ask for a better company to work for.”
