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Photo by Steve Johnson Butte Falls' Jerry Cappelo holds a world master's dead lifting world record of 705 pounds Pulling his weight, and more Butte Falls master lifter produces world record By KRIS HENRY If an individual's hands say a lot about a person, Jerry Capello's crusty appendages tell a painful tale of the Butte Falls resident. Callus-hardened and blood-stained where opposing force proved too much to bear, Capello's hands require more Palmolive than Madge could ever muster. As a weight-lifting champion and trainer at Powerhouse Gym, Capello has put his hands through more than their share of abuse. Lifting and holding 705 pounds has its detriments. In exchange, those hands have helped him to a handful of world records in the dead lift for his age group. They have also helped mold about 60 lifters in the past 10 years to world or American-record setting heights. Capello, 42, was one of nine local lifters to compete in the World Association of Bench and Dead Lifters World Championships staged Nov. 5-7 in Portland. Matching skills with over 600 lifters representing 19 countries, seven Southern Oregon lifters placed among the top-two in their division and two others finished fourth. "We're fortunate here in Southern Oregon," says Capello. "We have some very unique, strong-willed people." In the dead lift competition at the world championships, Capello, Kerrie Long, Troy Hamilton and Susan Gall each found no equal in their respective divisions. Roberta Hunt, Cindy Cameron and Travis Osborn each placed second, while Steve Gall and Bill Anderberg finished fourth. Capello, who oversees the local contingent's training, earned outstanding master lifter for his 688-pound effort. For someone who has the 242-pound master class world record at 705 pounds, pulling a 688 just doesn't carry much weight with Capello. "I was planning to pull a 722," says Capello. "I had done 705 for three or four reps during the week, but when I picked up 705 at the meet I had to sit it right back down because of a pulled hamstring." That type of discretion has made Capello such a valuable leader to the local lifters. "Jerry has been the one who is the most knowledgable and has pulled us all together and inspired us to compete," says Anderberg. That doesn't mean Capello actively recruits those milling about Powerhouse. "I never ask people to compete," he says. "They just see it and say I want a goal and go for that." Cameron, 41, is a perfect example of that, initially coming to Capello to lose weight before finding the competitive aspect of weight lifting attractive. "She was hesitant to try it," Capello says of Cameron's introduction to competition, "but she's really taken to it." In only her second meet, Cameron lifted 286 pounds at the world championships in the masters, 148-pound class. Despite 15 years of competition under his belt, Capello still finds each meet invigorating. "I get stronger as I get older," he says. "I guess I get smarter." Capello requires his lifters to be smart as well. He requests they eat right, live right and, most importantly, stay away from drugs. "That's why I got started to show that drug-free people can outlift and outlast other lifters who aren't drug-free," says Capello. "Size and looks don't mean anything. It's all in the heart. I can take anybody and make them a winner if they have the heart and belief. You don't have to have a lot of money or big muscles." Having the support of your peers also can pave a lifter's path to success. "It puts you on the spot, but yet you know if you fail you have someone there who will support you and get you going again," Capello says of the benefit his group incurs in training together. For Anderberg, the support-group mentality plays a big role in his growth as a power lifter. "It is a very individual sport, and when it comes down to a final analysis, eventually everyone's in it for themselves," says the 49-year-old. "But the training, encouragement and support we offer is important for each of us in raising our goals." That level of support even translates to the various power lifting competitions. "It doesn't matter if you lift 5 pounds or 500 pounds, they all cheer for you," says Capello. "There are some really supportive people in power lifting. The thing is, you're really not competing against an individual, you're competing against yourself." In the end, though, the attraction of power lifting rests solely on a person's ability to push the envelope. Power lifting competitions typically consist of three lifts: Bench press, squat and dead lift. The world championships in Portland, however, allowed lifters the chance to compete in their specialty. Although one would think dead lift is Capello's specialty, he insists he has another favorite. "I actually like squats better," he says, adding he can hoist the same weight as in the dead lift. "I like the feel of it. There's nothing like having 700 pounds on your back. It's a rush." Or a crush, depending on your perspective. Local Results WABDL WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS Jerry Capello -- First place, 242-pound master division, 688-pound dead lift. Kerrie Long -- First place, 165-pound master division, 485-pound dead lift. Troy Hamilton -- First place, 242-pound junior division, 600-pound dead lift. Susan Gall -- First place, 148-pound submaster division, 341-pound dead lift. to top her existing world record of 330 Roberta Hunt -- Second place, 123-pound submaster division, 264-pound dead lift. Cindy Cameron -- Second place, 148-pound master division, 286-pound dead lift. Travis Osborn -- Second place, 220-pound junior division, 556-pound dead lift. Steve Gall -- Fourth place, 198-pound master division, 485-pound dead lift. Bill Anderberg -- Fourth place, 220-pound master division, 512-pound dead lift. Today's Sports Index Mail Tribune Copyright� The Mail Tribune 1999, Medford, OR U.S.A.