Antonio King lifts 410 pounds winning the first place in his weight category of 193 to 213 pounds and the first place overall at Friday's weight-lifting competition organized by Moral Welfare and Recreation at Eagle Base, Bosnia and Herzegovina. King's spotter, Brian Johnson, won the first place in 214-234 pounds weight category. Both are civilians working for ITT, company providing security at U.S. bases in Bosnia and Kosovo. (Ivana Avramovic / S&S)
EAGLE BASE, Bosnia and Herzegovina — The pressure was on for the soldiers and civilians competing to lift the most weight at Friday’s Morale Welfare and Recreation-organized bench press competition.
A mix of 13 soldiers and civilians tried their best to earn points by pressing more than their own weight.
The pressure grew for the third attempt. Most of the 13 lifters took a moment on the bench to concentrate before pressing the bar with the weights.
“Push it,” a soldier encouraged a struggling competitor.
“There we go,” yelled another after a successful attempt.
Two civilians working for the company providing security at U.S. bases in Bosnia and Kosovo, ITT, set the high score.
Pressing 410 pounds, Antonio King earned 207 points, overall first place, and in his weight category of 193 to 213 pounds.
Brian Johnson earned the next high score and the first pace in his weight category of 214 to 234 pounds lifting 345 pounds and setting his best score ever.
Their winning does not come as a surprise to some of the MWR staff who see them working out for hours everyday.
With few things to do when not on the job, King and Johnson opt for the gym.
“I don’t like to sit in my room,” said Johnson who has been working for ITT in Bosnia for 15 months.
Johnson and King used the competition to set goals for the next one in three months.
“It was fun. It gives you something to break up the monotony of everyday life.”
