Pat Mendes

nick said:

thats from few days before worlds.. look like he's capable of alot more

Shaun said:
Does that look above parallel to anyone else?

Shaun said:
Does that look above parallel to anyone else?

Dave284 said:Mendes lifts for the US and therefore undergoes much more strict drug testing than a lot of the other top guys. When he is 'on' and training, he seems like he would be very good - although he does have a very dodgy jerk, when he comes off he can't compete. Seems pretty simple.

ranathari said:
The Iranian SHW in the video above has supposedly been tested far more than Mendes because he's done more international competitions so I'm not entirely sure this line of argument is that valid. Saying that Mendes doesn't come off his cycles very well would be more valid but that presupposes he's doping anyway.

Dave284 said:

I'm sure he has, but Mendes lifted at nationals a month or so ago to qualify for pan-ams, then at pan-ams, and then at worlds. Presumably he had to be prepared to be tested at all three so has been off for some time. I doubt Iran takes WADA as seriously as the US do in terms of internal testing, so they mainly have to worry about international comps - ie World's, Asian games and Olympics - so 1-3 times a year at most?

Steve said:
Over the past few years the Iranian has been OCT every year by the IWF as well as in competition testing.
Why do you think the testing in the US is stricter than elsewhere?

Dave284 said:
Because it is widely documented that it is. People like Pendlay and Broz have written in several places about being 'randomly' tested with outrageous frequency because the US takes its anti-doping VERY seriously and regulates itself. I don't see the Iranians having to deal with constant random tests from WADA, or at least the threat of them, at all times. Pendlay has also noted conversations with EU and Chinese coaches, all of whom have thought the idea of trying to compete seriously without drugs was laughable.

Steve said:
I have no idea how the testing in the US compares with other Countries - Pendlay and Broz are US weightlifting coaches, hardly a good source of impartial information.
I do know just how strict it is in the UK and this is perhaps reflected in our results. The very best US lifters are currently lifting weights close to what the best UK lifters were doing pre "modern" testing which does make me wonder just how strict their testing really is.

Wigan said:My view on Pat:

He was very possibly previously running free with the use of performance enhancing substances and lifted some massive weights - Good on him!

He is now playing the game and lifting on the international stage, subjecting himself to the required doping controls, and his lifts have come down accordingly, BUT he is still lifting as best he can - Good on him!!

IainT said:Without trying to add to the casting of aspersions on Pat - is that kind of drop-off without enhancement the norm?

Did recently read an interview with Taranenko in which he was asked about other Russian lifter's training and the use of 'restoratives', he did say that another lifter (can't remember name) was really weak without them.