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Blue Springs, MO —
Brandon Cass, the Truman High School graduate who holds the world record of 838.8 pounds in the deadlift, will represent the United States later this month in the Battle of Champions in Archangel, Russia.
“I can’t wait,” said Cass, who leaves for Russia on Tuesday. “It’s one thing to hold a world record. It’s another to represent your country. What an honor.”
Cass will be one of 25 competitors in the weightlifting event and will be the only entry from the United States.
He weighs in at 220 pounds, and said the event will feature many weight classes with the winner determined by the amount he lifts, according to his weight.
“I actually received my invitation over Facebook,” said Cass, who is a personal trainer at Club 7 Fitness in Blue Springs. “A promoter friend of mine who organizes the Clash of the Titans here in the United States was in contact with the promoter of the Russian event. “The promoter in Russia knew who I was and offered me an invitation.”
Although he leaves in less than a week, Cass said he simply can’t believe he has the opportunity to compete in a world invitational.
“It’s all so surreal,” said Cass, a cousin of former Cy Young Award winner and Van Horn High School graduate Rick Sutcliffe. “I’ve never been to Russia. I really don’t know what to expect once I get there.
“This is a testimony to my faith and God and my work ethic.”
Cass, a 1992 Truman grad, will get in one of his final workouts Saturday as he hosts a local weightlifting competition at Club 7.
“The event will start about 10 a.m. and I plan to lift around 2 p.m.,” Cass said. “I won’t be competing, just lifting – and using it as one of my final workouts before I leave for Russia.”
He said the opportunity is there to make some big bucks at the Battle of the Champions.
“Ironically, it’s sponsored by a vodka company,” he said, chuckling. “That’s the last thing I would associate with health and fitness. There are also some car dealerships and hotels. Going into the event, I’m hoping for a top-three finish, and I think I have the chance to win it all.”
Cass will make a quick exit from the meet, catching a plane July 3 for the return trip home.
“I leave the 3rd and have a 7 1/2-hour layover in New York and another layover of 6 1/2 hours in Atlanta,” he said, “which makes for about a 36-hour overall trip.
“But my 3-year-old daughter Maci loves fireworks and I promised her I would be home for the Fourth of July.”
For more information on Cass’ weightlifting competition, call Club 7 Fitness at 816-229-8585 or visit www.cassstrength.com.
Brandon Cass, the Truman High School graduate who holds the world record of 838.8 pounds in the deadlift, will represent the United States later this month in the Battle of Champions in Archangel, Russia.
“I can’t wait,” said Cass, who leaves for Russia on Tuesday. “It’s one thing to hold a world record. It’s another to represent your country. What an honor.”
Cass will be one of 25 competitors in the weightlifting event and will be the only entry from the United States.
He weighs in at 220 pounds, and said the event will feature many weight classes with the winner determined by the amount he lifts, according to his weight.
“I actually received my invitation over Facebook,” said Cass, who is a personal trainer at Club 7 Fitness in Blue Springs. “A promoter friend of mine who organizes the Clash of the Titans here in the United States was in contact with the promoter of the Russian event. “The promoter in Russia knew who I was and offered me an invitation.”
Although he leaves in less than a week, Cass said he simply can’t believe he has the opportunity to compete in a world invitational.
“It’s all so surreal,” said Cass, a cousin of former Cy Young Award winner and Van Horn High School graduate Rick Sutcliffe. “I’ve never been to Russia. I really don’t know what to expect once I get there.
“This is a testimony to my faith and God and my work ethic.”
Cass, a 1992 Truman grad, will get in one of his final workouts Saturday as he hosts a local weightlifting competition at Club 7.
“The event will start about 10 a.m. and I plan to lift around 2 p.m.,” Cass said. “I won’t be competing, just lifting – and using it as one of my final workouts before I leave for Russia.”
He said the opportunity is there to make some big bucks at the Battle of the Champions.
“Ironically, it’s sponsored by a vodka company,” he said, chuckling. “That’s the last thing I would associate with health and fitness. There are also some car dealerships and hotels. Going into the event, I’m hoping for a top-three finish, and I think I have the chance to win it all.”
Cass will make a quick exit from the meet, catching a plane July 3 for the return trip home.
“I leave the 3rd and have a 7 1/2-hour layover in New York and another layover of 6 1/2 hours in Atlanta,” he said, “which makes for about a 36-hour overall trip.
“But my 3-year-old daughter Maci loves fireworks and I promised her I would be home for the Fourth of July.”
For more information on Cass’ weightlifting competition, call Club 7 Fitness at 816-229-8585 or visit www.cassstrength.com.
