A first-place finish and a state record are just the beginning
for locals Jack Peters and Al Tortorelli
GILROY
Weightlifters Jack Peters and Al Tortorelli are humble individuals. Their quiet demeanors and soft tones in conversation mask a competitive drive. But their words speak volumes, and it is no secret that they both love what they do – not to mention, both are really strong.
Peters, 77, and Tortorelli, 42, if they choose to, have a lot to brag about after a weightlifting competition in Rancho Cordova near Sacramento on Aug. 15.
The duo, who met at Net Fitness in downtown Gilroy, each took top honors at the West Coast Open Bench Press and Deadlift Championships.
Hollister’s Steve Munoz, meanwhile, took home first place as well after benching 462 pounds. It was the first competition in the bench press for the 242-pound lifter – a stark contrast to the veteran Peters, who turns 78 next month.
Peters, of Gilroy, said his performance at this year’s event wasn’t up to par with what he was used to, pinning the blame on his age.
“It has to be that,” he said with a chuckle. “I’ve been going to the tournament for 10 or 15 years, but I don’t really know because at my age, I don’t really keep track of those things anymore.”
Even still, his 175-pound bench press earned him first place in the men’s ages 75-79 division. Each contestant gets three presses with the best being used.
“I haven’t done as well as I used to, but I did good enough to win,” Peters said. “It doesn’t sound like much, but in competition you have to keep the weight on your chest until the referee says press. It seems like he’s taking forever, so it’s dead weight sitting on your chest for 10 or 15 seconds. If you keep dead weight on your chest that long it gets kind of hard.”
Tortorelli, a two-time deadlift world champion and seven-time national champion, tied a state record with a deadlift of 650.2 pounds.
“I’ve been power lifting since 2002,” Tortorelli said graciously. “My goal was 650 and I accomplished it.”
Tortorelli’s down-to-earth nature leads him to downplay his world championship status. However, the significance cannot be disregarded.
“What I do seems really easy,” said Tortorelli, a Hollister resident. “But, it’s hard and takes a lot to do it.”
Tortorelli said he will defend his world championship in Reno on Oct. 31.
