Let me tell you a little bit about myself.  This will be my third competition with the United States Team for Power Lifting.  I have previously traveled to India in 2004 and to South Africa in 2005 representing the USA Masters Team each time.

To me, this isn't just about myself, but about the sport of Power Lifting and being able to represent the United States of America.   Everything that I do is for the sport and to show the youth that it is possible to do a sport on a national level, and that you can compete at a world class level through hard work with a commitment to a clean, healthy, and "drug free" life sytle.  If I can help even one individual it is well worth it.

It would be a great honor to again represent my country at the 2010 World Masters.  We wear the colors of the United States and lift for our country, but are not funded by our government.  Funding is primarily sponsorships.  Please help me move forward with this venture.  Any sponsorship would be greatly appreciated.  Thank you so much for your help.

Sincerely,

Bill Collins

2010 United States Power Lifting Team Member

2320 Cascade Drive

Gillette, WY 82718

*******************************

You’re never too old to push

Bill Collins of Gillette gets some vocal support in the weight room in 2007 as he trained. The 2004 world champion finished second this year at the Masters Nationals powerlifting championships at 275 pounds and plans to compete for Team USA in his third world championships in the Cezch Republic in another month if he can find sponsors to help pay his expenses. - News-Record file photo by Nathan Payne

By KATHY BROWN, News-Record Sports Editor sports@gillettenewsrecord.com

Bill Collins, a Gillette powerlifter, will compete in his third wold championships in the sport next month at Pilsen, Czech Republic.

The 49-year-old weight lifter and coal miner earned a spot on the USA team at the 2010 master nationals powerlifting meet in Killeen, Texas, when he finished second at 275 pounds.

At nationals, the 124.8-kilogram weight lifter had top lifts of 307.5 in squat; 235 in bench press and 285 in the deadlift for a total of 827.5 pounds.

Dave Gonzales took the national championship in that weight class with a total of 870 pounds.

Collins also ranks third overall in that weight class by USA Powerlifting in the latest rankings.

Now he’s trying to find sponsors to help pay for his expenses to the Czech Republic to compete Sept. 27-Oct. 2 at 125 kilograms in the M1 division.

It will be his final year in M1, which is for master powerlifters ages 40-49.

He last attended the world championships in 2005 in South Africa, placing fifth in his weight class. In 2004 in India, he took home gold medals for the United States squad.

“I couldn’t pass it up,” Collins said of his third opportunity. “I thought ‘how many times will this present itself?’”

“I needed a good motivator, and this is it. My training and discipline is still the same. ... I’ve never been to that part of the world.”

Collins said he’s gotten even stronger since his last world championships.

In powerlifting, Collins will compete in squats, bench press and deadlift. He will aim to win medals in each discipline, as well as the overall he lifts.

The International Powerlifting Federation has sanctioned the 28th men’s world championships, along with the Czech Powerlifting Federation. This is a drug-fee competition and every participant must pass doping tests before they can compete.

Collins will actually compete on Oct. 2 in the final event offered at the worlds. Opening ceremonies are scheduled Sept. 27.

He found out just a week ago that he was invited to join the U.S. team in the world championships. He figures he needs to raise nearly $3,000 to make the trip.

www.gillettenewsrecord.com/articles/2010/07/30/sports2/front/sports01.txt

Sept.. 9, 2010