Joshua Canestraro
@kurama.canes
The USAPL is saving one of their best ‘till last with the Virginia Pro, in what is one of the most stacked rosters of the year. Rouska, Okpoko, Cho are just some of the names on the roster who could walk away with a $5000 cheque for first place. The VA Pro is decided based upon the DOTS formula rather than weight classes.
USAPLS ‘Big Three’ of Ashton, Austin and Bobb are heavy favourites and will look to put on one of powerlifting’s biggest battles.
Austin Perkins is the favourite heading into the meet with the highest DOTS score of 585.7. Could we see Perkins win against some of the biggest and best our sport has to offer?
Following a massive performance in South Korea, Ashton Rouska is looking to put up the meet of his life on home soil. Last year, Ash put up a 579.8 DOTS score and was last year’s VA Pro winner, taking home the top prize money for the day.
Bobb Matthews continues to rise at unheard of speeds hitting PRs every month. ‘SSJBobb’ hit his best meet total and DOTs score in June and has the highest ceiling of strength out of the big three heading into this meet. Totalling 930kg (577.38 DOTS) and beating Rouska at Mega Nationals, Bobb showed that he isn’t someone to be taken lightly. He has since decided to move up to the 110kg class and seen his strength grow massively. In this time, Matthews has hit a 971kg gym total and tripled a 907.5kg total. While it was in the gym, Bobb’s total had a 593.16 DOTS score, towering over Ash and Perk, but the big question will be: can he hit it on the platform?
The competition will also see the likes of Sean Noriega, Daniel Clements, Marcus Adodo and many more excellent lifters who are looking to leave Virginia on December 10th with money in their pockets.
My picks for top 3:
1. Bobb Matthews
2. Austin Perkins
3. Ashton Rouska
