Ugandan powerlifter Roy Mubiru will return to action post-covid 19-lockdown when he competes in the 2021 USA Powerlifting Connecticut Bench Press and Deadlift State Championship, April 17.

This will be the second championship that he competes in during the COVID-19 pandemic era, after the 30th World Powerlifting Alliance World Championship from which he picked gold, in the same state last September.

Due to strict COVID-19 restrictions, Mubiru has nevertheless been able to ‘scientifically’ train for the event and will compete in the 125kg heavyweight, 40-44 years Master Raw tested category.

“Covid-19 has messed us a lot and I had to access the gym alone but I have prepared well. I’m now just feeding, sleeping, and resting so that the body recovers; I was last involved in intense training last Saturday,” Mubiru said.

Mubiru in action during training for the championship. courtesy photo

“We expect the restrictions to be lifted by end of May after and when most of the people will have been immunised,”

He targets lifting a total of 2,000kgs in all three styles; deadlift, squat and bench-press.

The American Powerlifting Championships that is also a qualifier to the World Championships in Quebec-Canada this year, will be run simultaneously in multiple locations including Clinton, Missouri-Oakville, Connecticut, and West Virginia.

Last September, competing in the 125kg heavyweight category, Mubiru, who only trained for three weeks instead of the normal 3 months; dead-lifted 270kg, squated 255 and benched 180kg to come top in his category.

Mubiru skipped the Poland World Powerlifting Championships due to COVID-19 travel restrictions and policy differences and partly due to lack of financial support.