Sports
Monica Sobotka to defend world title
Thursday, 28 June 2012 by Chuck Kelly
The reigning Women's World Powerlifting Champion, Monica Sobotka of Morgan's Point, has qualified to defend her title at this year's competition.
The two-time Women's National champ earned her berth at the recent Women's Nationals, the first meet of this year, in Boise, Idaho.
Sobotka and a teammate on the Fort Hood Phantom Warriors team, Donna Bryant, another world gold medalist, both took first place in their age/weight classes and were named to the World team again during the Boise meet.
Sobotka turned in her best total lift ever of 704 combined pounds --- 242 in the Squat and 308 in the Deadlift, both personal bests, and 154 in the Bench. She was edged out in her bid for a third consecutive National title, finishing in second place overall.
"It was a good meet and I made the world team," the champ commented. "I think I'll do really well at world this year. I'll be looking for a second title and I expect Donna to easily defend her world title in her age/weight class."
Sobotka and Bryant will compete before a "home crowd" when the 2012 World competition is staged in the Killeen Civic and Convention Center October 2-7. "Lifters from as many as 37 countries will be competing," former World Champion Powerlifter Johnny Graham, coach of the Fort Hood Phantom Warriors and also Vice President of the USA and International Powerlifting Association, revealed. "I think our ladies have a good shot in the meet. I never ask anyone to win, I just ask them to give me their very best. Whatever happens then, you're a winner."
Another Phantom warrior, Katherine Conway, placed fourth in the nationals and a young teammate, Ashleigh Andrews, finished second in the teenage division and qualified for the Junior World's Championships, She will represent the USA in Poland in September.
