Mike Hara wins the 165's!
	Wanna know who the happiest man in St. Louis was this weekend? It wasn't Kurt Warner of the World Champion St. Louis Rams, who threw for 394 yards and 2 touchdowns in the Rams victory over the 49ers. And it wasn't any of the 1st place Cardinals who increased their margin over the Reds, needing only 2 games to clinch thier division title. Nope, not either of them. It was Mike Hara of Folsom, CA, who won the 165 lb. title over Larry "Dr. Benchpress" Miller & Scott Kernan.	Mike Hara, 165 lb. champion

	The showdown was dogfight from the beginning with Kernan & Hara making thier openers, while Miller missed his opening lift at 462 lbs. In round two, Hara fell behind as he lifted just 462 lbs, while Kernan & Miller both made 473 lbs. The competition was intense between these three as they had the crowd nearly on thier feet lifting such huge weights. On thier 3rd attemtps, all 3 men chose 479 lbs. each banking on the other competitors missing the lift. After the chalk dust settled, Miller had missed the lift and the door was open for both Hara & Kernan to dethrone the reigning 165 lb. king. Kernan was up next. He came out and gutted out 479 to take first place, at least temporarily. Then it was left up to the lighter Hara to follow a tough act with the pressure on. With the crowd whipped into a frenzy, Hara rammed up a new meet record of 479 lbs capturing first place with an awesome triple bodyweight lift! As the white lights appeared Hara nearly hit the ceiling as he jumped high into the air, thrusting his arms in victory.
	Rick Fowler
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