“Powerlifting is a power sport consisting of three lifts: squat, bench, and deadlift. Some meets do let you compete in a single particular elevate, however should you compete in all three- that’s Full Energy,” Vickers mentioned.
“Full energy” is strictly how Vickers competed within the 75 kilogram weight class, recording a 275.6 pound squat, 137.6-pound bench, and 319.7-pound deadlift to spherical out the win. Along with competing full energy, Vickers competed “uncooked” which means with the least quantity of apparatus or gear, akin to knee wraps and deadlift fits, allowed per official guidelines.
Vickers, a local of Woburn, Massachusetts, at present serves at NMCCL as a perioperative nurse and division officer for the Sterile Processing Division. Vickers says sports activities have at all times been part of her life, but it surely wasn’t till she joined a CrossFit health club in 2017 that she found her love of weightlifting.
“I discovered that power was type of ‘my factor’ and it grew from there. I deployed to Djibouti in March 2021. Whereas there, Navy Ethical Welfare and Recreation hosted a 500 pound and 1000 pound lifting problem,” defined Vickers. “I ended up taking second place general type girls totaling 630 kilos, solely 5 kilos behind the winner. I figured, ‘hey-I discovered one thing I get pleasure from that I is likely to be respectable at.’ Once I returned house from deployment, I registered for the Virginia Seashore Traditional.”
With Vickers’ win from the Virginia Seashore Traditional, she qualifies for the Worldwide Powerlifting Federation’s North American Championship in November in Oklahoma Metropolis. Vickers’ long-term purpose is to enhance her upcoming powerlifting complete to 804.7 kilos and to hit Worldwide Elite standing sometime.
“Juggling Navy Medication commitments and a aggressive sport is simply that, juggling. I’ll hit 11 years of lively obligation subsequent month,” Vickers mentioned. “I do know my army commitments come first – however I’m additionally on the level in my profession the place I perceive the significance of taking good care of myself each bodily and emotionally. For me, powerlifting does simply that.”
Vickers hopes her id not solely as a Navy nurse however as a powerlifter will assist set an instance for different Sailors and encourage them to pursue their passions.
“For those who’re keen to place within the work and juggle it along with your army commitments, it’ll solely make you a stronger Sailor. Be keen to make sacrifices and perceive that outcomes don’t occur in a single day.”
When Vickers isn’t coaching for the subsequent competitors, she is working towards her Physician of Nursing Apply diploma and commuting to her household house in Virginia to are likely to their “homestead of goats, chickens, and different critters.”
