Georgia IronDawgs weightlifters Tim Moon and C.J. Allen of Gainesville set personal records and qualified for the Southern Powerlifting Federation World Championships by winning their classes on Sunday at the SPF National Powerlifting and Bench Press Championships in Gatlinburg, Tennessee. Allen squatted 720 and 760 before finishing with a personal record of 800 pounds.

“I was really nervous having 800 pounds on my back for the first time ever,” Allen said as he won first in the equipped junior 275-pound multi-ply fullpower class.

His bench opener of 505 tied his record. He lifted 550 pounds on his deadlift opener and 600 on his second lift. He lifted 1905 pounds total, a Georgia state record. Moon took the SPF national title with a bench press of 710 pounds, which was a meet personal record.

“It was a pretty quick turn around for me having lifted only two weeks ago in Atlanta, but I felt pretty strong,” Moon said as he took the title in the Master’s Men’s 275-pound 45-49-year-old bench-only multi-ply division.

Moon opened with a bench press of 650 pounds which went up easily.

“I smoked 710 on my second attempt for the world record,” he said. “I missed 725 on my 3rd; couldn’t quite lock it out.”

“I’m blessed. God has made me strong.”

The SPF/WBPLA World Meet is September 29 and 30 in Manchester, Tenn.