Camp Pendleton’s Varsity Powerlifting team the BarBenders #1

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SEMPER FI SPORTS ARTICLE 

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Mari Asp takes the #1 ranked spot!

DECEMBER AND XMAS PREPERATIONS

December is here already, with xmas just a couple of weeks away. Can’t believe another year
went by…..so fast!
Being already a few days into the xmas month, today “The Bunz O Steel” decorated the xmas tree over at Lefty’s house.

We had a good time getting this really a nice tree Kim got a hold of, and covered with lights and ornaments.

Enjoy the XMAS month of 2010
God Jul!

Sgt. of Marines, World Champion of the bench press

Check out my team mate Sgt Douglas "The BEAST" in this interview.

DVIDS - News - Sgt. of Marines, World Champion of the bench press

Thanksgiving Weekend

Nothing like the sunset from Salt Creek Beach in Dana Point.

Mari Asp

-If better is possible good is not enough.-

ANKLE SURGERY

My ankle is wrapped up and in a boot, healing up after last weeks surgery.

October 19th Dr. Peter Gerbino  did a surgery on my right ankle.
My FHL tendon was starting to give me a lot of problems, inkluding my ankle locking up on me.

Dr. Gerbino has done all my surgeries, including  my left ankle 3 years ago.
The results from that, and the shoulder surgeries he done on me,
is the reason for me returning to him and his staff again.
I don't think I can get a better surgeon. Plus the people working for him always takes great care of me!
I always ask if I he can take pictures while I "sleep", and this time was no different ;-)
Here are 3 pictures from my ankle surgery:

 

Now I am at home recovering, and hopefully it will be a fast one! 

WHAT NUMBER??

It’s less than 2 weeks before the 2010 Olympia. Not much time at all, but still some left to reach that peak we all try to hit on the day of competition. Sometimes we do, sometimes we don’t.

That's why we are there!!

I get asked from a lot of people what numbers I am aiming for. Something I guess is a very normal question in a sport like powerlifting. This is one question I actually can’t answer you on. Why, because I don’t set my goals that way. I rather focus on “strong lifts”, then “what number to lift”. It’s a mental thing, and our mind is very strong! Why put a break on it?  

On the day of the competition I only have one number I focus on, and that is my first lift.
Then I take the rest from there.

No plans leaves it wide open for me to try whatever weight I want, based on how I feel right that second.

See you all at the Olympia!

WOWSER!

Among my emails this week, I received one saying "Norwegian Tribute" in the subject line.

The attachment in this email, a picture saying more than a 1000 words, and sure made me feel good.

Kim Merkel & Willy Buhl

These two very special people sure know how to make a friend feel good!

Willy and Kim  took this picture (and emailed me) on their way to Bridgport, going to the

Mountain Warrior training.

Thanks ! Love you !

WOWSER!!!

The Olympia Benchpress Invitational 2010

The Olympia Benchpress Invitational is set for Sept 25 at the Las Vegas Convention Center.
Here's the invite list.(The rankings below are based on the Wilks formula from past meets from 2009 up to June 2010)

Benchpress Lightwt women-105,114,123
1 Mari Asp, accepted
2 April Shumaker, accepted
3 Maura Shuttleworth, accepted
4 Bonnie Aerts, accepted
5 Anne Larson, accepted
6 Alex Decker, accepted

Benchpress Middlewt women-132,148,165
1 Cara Westin, accepted
2 Monica DiGiuro, accepted
3 Mondae Nunes, accepted
4 Georgiann Puckett, accepted
5 Madison James, accepted
6 Karen Parnow, accepted
7 Liz Freel, accepted

Benchpress Heavywt women-181,198,198+
1 Tanya Reed, accepted
2 Nicolai Stern, accepted
3 Nicki I'Anson, accepted
4 Betty Heriford, accepted
5 Tracee Patterson, accepted

Benchpress Lightwt Men-148,165,181
1 Nick Marinis, accepted
2 Joe Somma, accepted
3 Jon Cunningham, accepted
4 Rudy Garcia, accepted
5 William Garcia, accepted
6 Ian Smalley, accepted
7 Barry Antoniow, accepted
8 Matthew Reep, alternate
9 John Petersen, alternate

Benchpress Middlewt Men-PL 198,220,242
1 James Burdette, accepted
2 Dennis Reneau, accepted
3 Josh Stottlemire, accepted
4 Bryon Brubaker, accepted
5 Juan Laija, accepted
6 Ben Brizendine, accepted
7 Brian Burritt, accepted
8 Clinton Muhammad, alternate
9 Lance Rector, alternate

Benchpress Heavywt Men-PL 275,308,308+
1 Mike Womack, accepted
2 Allen Baria, accepted
3 Rich Lopez, accepted
4 Rich McDowell, accepted
5 Matt Houser, accepted
6 Scott Hoekstra, accepted
7 Ricardo Costa, accepted
8 Collin Rhodes, accepted
9 James Potts, alternate

SUMMER!

This summer has so far been one to remember. 

Being with my family and friends, in Norway! Nothing is like home.
"Borte bra, men hjemme best".  

That's when I get to see Heidi,  my best friend since I was 17! It's nothing like spending some time with the person who probably knows you the best.

Today was the Dana Point Summer Concert in the park.

The 5th Marines and members of the Dana Point 5th Marine Regiment Support Group was there selling some great food and drinks to help the fighting 5th Marines. 

 

Me and Col. Willy Buhl

PREIKESTOLEN

Yesterday it was time to finally go to Preikestolen. Palle was going with me 

(I think he regretted it during the 1 hour and 25 minutes hike up there.....lol!)

But all forgotten about when we got there! 

Don't think you will find many views like this! 

Norway is beautiful!

and, as always......

the world looks better upside down

We had an awesome day

Thank you Palle, Happy Birthday !

Mari

 

TRIP TO SANDNES - driving over the mountains

 

I desided to take a drive the beautiful mountains too the other side of Norway, to see some friends. 

Here are some pictures from my drive! 

ITS 18 YEARS AGO & IT'S STILL THERE

This past week I been back in the gym doing gymnastics again.

Went together with a great friend of mine, Andre Bach, who I was doing gymnastcis with 18 years ago, and Andre's friend Willy. We had some fun workout's.

It went surprisingly well and here is me doing my 1st double back in 18 years.

 AWESOME TIMES GUYS!

Men vent litt a......en til! 

NORGE

It's June, and I am back home in Norway.

Here are some pictures from this past week! 

MY BIRTHDAY WEEK

My birthday week is over, and I am almost 1 week into another  year of my life.
It was a good week, even if I was a little sick, but it started Monday with a photo shoot with Michael Neveux for Ironman Magazine, at his studio in Gardena. Might be a little something in the September issue, so make sure to get a copy, and check it out.

Here is me and Shelly Pincerton goofing around between shoots.

 Make up done!

Then Tuesday was my Birthday, and I made it a Mari day. Lena and I was all over SixFlags a few days ago, so it was a nice day to relax. Thanks Lena for the fun gift. It was perfect. Something both enjoyed together. We all need days like that..... and JW! Thanks again for yours.

Saturday I had an INTL LADIES DINNER INVITE to the Buhl Family, and went over to their house and enjoyed great food and drinks. Always nice to see friends, and also get the chance to make some new ones.

Thank you Willy and Michaela

Now........the next stop is NORWAY!!! 

MARI & LENA DAY!! Nanjjjanaanjjajja ;)

Today Lena treated me with a girls day at Six Flags. Jepp! just like two kids! Loved it! It was my birthday gift from her to me (bday is coming up very shortly) thanks Lena. We had a blast. It was perfect day, not to crowded, and no lines. Maybe we waited 5 min for each ride. It was just one roller coaster after another, all day.

USPF Military Nationals 2010

Saturday was the USPF Military Nationals 2010 at Muscle Beach Venice.
The US marine team from Camp Pendleton won this year, as they did last!

Congratulations Marines!