Bay City Tribune

Van Vleck graduate A.J. Mangum returned home from Reno Tuesday as the mens World Association Benchers and Dead Lifter champion in the 181-pound weight class after he won the event last Sunday morning at the Peppermill Hotel.

"I'm very happy," said Mangum earlier in the week. "I was confident that I was going to win it."

He competed in the Junior 20-25-year old division and dead lifted 706 pounds which was four times his body weight of 171 pounds. It was a new world's record.

"Right after I lifted, it took a lot out of me," said Mangum. "This is something that I'll always remember."

Besides winning the first place trophy, Mangum was awarded the world cup for Outstanding Dead Lifter.

Mangum had been training at Van Vleck High School under the tutelage of Boyce Halbison and at the Fit For Life Gym in Bay City.

His performance can be viewed on www.youtube.com by typing in A.J. Mangum in the search field.

Mangum will continue his computer science studies at Brazosport College in Clute before preparing for next year's competition in March.

Bay City graduate Carlton James Jr. placed third among 30 lifters in the 242-pound open weight class and had a 534-pound total.

He weighed in at 231 pounds.