HERZBERG, Germany — Competing in powerlifting usually requires limits, but there is little that is usual about Georgia IronDawg Tim "T" Moon of Gainesville.
The 52-year-old Moon, widely regarded as the world's strongest benchpresser over the age of 50, has made a career of going against the common wisdom that states that lifters should limit the number of times they compete within a year. In fact, Moon has even lifted in meets separated by mere days.
This week, Moon added another world championship -- his 18th overall -- less than three weeks after winning the prestigious Mr. Olympia in Las Vegas.
The latest title for Moon came in the World United Amateur Powerlifting (WUAP) world championships on Wednesday in Herzberg (Elster), Germany, when he claimed the Master's Men's (50-54-year-old), equipped bench division in the 140-kilogram/308.64-pound class. Moon, who weighed in at a little over 279 pounds, took three cracks at it before successfully locking out 335 kg/738.54 pounds. He had benched almost 805 in Vegas.
"I guess I was tired, but I won," said Moon. "I'm thankful and I'm working on the contentment part.
"I'm grateful to have had the opportunity to have won another world championship. This is number 18 for me. It's been awesome to have my daughter Lydia travel with me. We have made many memories. One thing I have come to realize is that I have been blessed to have these opportunities that many people have not. I will not say that the powerlifting is not important, it is still the reason for the trips but not the only reason."
Moon noted that he twice missed the weight of 335/738.54.
"Third time was a charm, he said. "I'm not sure why I didn't perform my best today. The travel, the lack of food -- we skipped a few meals because of travel. I weighed in a little lighter at 279."
Moon noted he had competed this time with an injury.
"During warmups I got my hand squished between the rack and the bar with 675. I bled quite a bit and my hand is swollen. I tried to block it out when I was lifting," Moon said. "It's been a great trip with my lifting being just good for my personal standards; but at the end of the day, not only did I win my division, I also won champion of champions/ best lifter for the day out of many lifters. A big thanks to all those who encourage, pray, support, and help me train."
Moon is a 1982 graduate of Jefferson High.
