Man with local ties sets record at Arnold Classic

Weightlifter Mike Bridges turned in a memorable performance at the recent Arnold Classic in Columbus.

Bridges, a cousin of Logan County residents Barbara, John and Deron Newland and Kody Newland of Phoenix, set a new International Powerlifting Federation world record with a squat lift of 716 pounds in the 198-pound division.

The 51-year-old Bridges, who resides in Peoria, Ill., has been a well known powerlifter for many years. Since 2003, he has won several Master Nationals and IPF World Championship titles.

In 2007, Bridges competed in the Open Nationals in St. Louis and set six world records. He also won the Master IPF world bench press title in Germany last year with a world record effort of 512 pounds.

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