Mubiru comes of age, but tough year looms

Powerlifter Roy Mubiru was masterful once again this year, capping off his dominant regular season with a gold medal and qualification for the World Powerlifting Championship (WPC) in May 2019.
“I have a lot of respect for Powerlifting because it has enabled me achieve a lot in life,” said Mubiru, who shared a little bit of his poor background.
“I went through many struggles before getting to this stage. I come from a poor family. But here I am today competing at a World stage.”

After posting 365kgs in full power deadlift, 210kgs for bench press and 259kgs for the squats at the 31st State Bay annual American Powerlifting Association Championship (APA) held in Fitchburg, Massachusetts USA two months ago, Mubiru picked gold in the heavyweight division. He also earned qualification for the WPC due in Lutsk, Ukraine.
“I have double joy, for not only being able to finish this year on a high but also for the sport of Powerlifting, and representing Uganda too,” Mubiru said. “I look back where I have come from and wonder at times. From a very poor background to competing at International levels and win. I also heard that the South African Powerlifter got injured and if true, I might end up being the only African at the World Championships.”

Mubiru, aged 41, has a big few months coming up; there is the RM Powerlifting and Crossfit Championships lined up for 26 January at the Satellite Hotel, Kisaasi Kyanja. The Championship dubbed ‘Beast Mode’ will pit powerlifters against bodybuilders.

“We invited Terry Harcleroad, an American Powerlifter as the chief guest at the RM championships,” said Mubiru.
Harcleroad, who doubles as a crossfit coach, is an iconic athlete who features both for the American Powerlifting and Crossfit squads. He won two golds at the 31st APA in the super heavyweight category.

Just like Mubiru, who will be representing Uganda in Ukraine, Harcleroad will be donning USA colors at the same event.
“He is a generous guy and loves powerlifting. He offered to provide the proteins and medals that will be won in different categories at the RM,” Mubiru said.

“We also intend to have him (Harcleroad) visit several gyms to see first hand the difficulties we undergo from logistics to equipment. We intend to have him give some words of encouragement and tips to our upcoming powerlifters and crossfiters.” Mubiru will also compete at the Arnold Schwarzenegger Classic Championship scheduled for February 28 in Ohio, Columbus. “I am looking at the Arnold Classic as my last warm up competition before the WPC. I have intensified training ahead of that big stage.

“I do squats on Mondays with four sets of 10 going down. This week I squatted 296 kilogrammes which is such a big improvement from what I did at the just ended APA,” Mubiru explained.
Success is relative and Mubiru will know this two well as any slip in the coming year could render the efforts in the year gone-by null and void.