Coming Full Circle

Richard Sorin · 11-25-2008, 12:59 PM

After leaving Reuben Weaver and enjoying his wonderful collection I pushed on to York for the Powerlifting Nationals and to support our lifter Donnie Thompson .I was so happy for Donnie totaling 2905 but equally happy when by chance was reunited with my first coach Dezi Ban (Banlaki) and the son of my long lost training partner Anthony Ditillo ( of the heavy rack training fame and author of many great training articles). I was getting ready to go back stage and heard "Anthony Ditillo up" I paused and wondered "related to the Big man?" The second he walked up to lift it was Anthony "reborn again" perhaps his son??? I was so excited I turned to a lady taking his picture and asked did she know him? She smiled and said " yes, that is my husband" the son of Anthony Ditillo. I was so excited to tell her I knew his dad very well she then mentioned "did you know Dezi Ban"? I was stunned and said "yes, he was my coach!. Well, in the next moment my life changed...She stood up and pointed to the stately, mustashed, white haired gentleman that I had seen watching the lifting all day........I was absolutely blown away. This is the man that through his efforts started my career in strength training and later life business. He was recovering from two strokes and after he studied me for a moment his eyes brightened and stood to greet me his memories of 40 years ago becoming crystal clear again. We had a wonderful visit and I feel through this chance meeting and reunion my life has truly come full circle! Richard Sorin

Matt Brouse · 11-25-2008, 03:31 PM

That's a cool anecdote, Richard. Thanks for sharing.

Richard Sorin · 11-26-2008, 09:41 AM

We all trained together at the Elizabeth Ymca in the late 60s. They had the globe york dumbbells deep dish York 45s even 75s!,globe barbells and a thick oak plank floor with a one foot squate ventilation "hole" in the musty green walls. There was a stout wooden power rack painted red with the uprights spaced wide apart(rare for this time) The rack had special hard rubber sleeves over the saftey pins that softened the force of dropped bars and helped on repeating reps. Anthony was not a deadlifter but did heavy special shrugs and did almost all his work within that rack. He was really good at incline and steep angle presses. Much of the power rack protocol used today was formed during some of those great workouts. Although long gone I still see hulking, grumpy, "Bob" at the front desk cage hitting the door buzzer to let you in that truly wonderful place.RS

dhartnet · 12-03-2008, 03:41 PM

Great story Richard. And glad you got to meet Reuben. He has one of the best Iron game collections, and he and I trade items all the time. We had a good time at last years AOBS, talking Iron and enjoying a few cold beverages. (Reuben wasnt able to make it this past year). Nice forum by the way, glad to be here.

Dave

Richard Sorin · 12-05-2008, 12:24 PM

Dave good to have you visit us! I always enjoy your posts and insightful information. Richard

McDaniel031151 · 01-28-2010, 05:09 PM

Richard,

Thanks for taking the time to write your articles on the history of barbells, power racks, etc. I enjoyed reading them very much!

McDaniel031151 · 01-28-2010, 05:16 PM

PS>>> to group members who have not seen these, you can find them on first page under a brief history link. I have passed on to jeff that bumpers link is going back to barbell article...