Records fall as Vegan Strong PlantBuilt claim FitFest medals

The ever-growing Vegan Strong PlantBuilt team competed at the Tampa Bay FitFest to compete in Powerlifting, Strongman, Olympic Lifting and Crossfit.

Powerlifting

The team has previously been known for success in powerlifting, so barbell success may not have been a complete surprise.  The degree of success was fantastic though, with 32 medals, nineteen state records and one national record.  The last of these came as submasters lifter Nick Squires lifted 295 kg in the 110 kg – as well as state and national records he was awarded best submasters lifter.

There were also Gold medals and state records for Brittany Billings, Daniel Austin, Jerry Stanley, Holly Noll, and Vincent Crapello.

Strongman

The strongman team collected three wins, two seconds and a third.

Last year’s 2024 Strongman Corporation National Lightweight Champion and Arnold Strongman World Championship finalist Melissa Busta won gold and claimed the Florida state deadlift record with a lift of 177 kg.  Teammate Esther Mangeno previously broke it with a 156 kg lift; between them they left the previous record of 120 kg far behind.    2024 NE Regional Strongman Champion Wendi Wentzel also won gold and broke the Pennsylvania state record at 197 kg.

Irishman Joel McCafferty amazingly booked a podium place in two weight classes, winning the men’s lightweight division and taking silver in the middleweight category.

Olympic lifting

Olympic lifting was represented like never before, with Ava Biesterfeld, Holly Noll, Brian Wilbur, Lauren English, and Annie Clark all winning their classes.  Ava was also was the overall winner of the Tampa Bay Open across all classes.

The CrossFit team laced in the top five in eleven events, while Sarah Pennington won 3rd in her age class.

Cofounder Giacomo Marchese was thrilled with the performance which he says highlights that “you don’t need animal products to reach the pinnacle of performance. Competition and compassion go hand in hand.”

The team are now looking forward to competing together in more events including Mr America in October.  Expect plant-powered success!