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Allan Mehan - Power Lifting

St. Stephen can proudly claim to be the hometown of a man who has done what no Canadian has ever done: win a Men's Open Division in any power lifting federation in any weight class. At the World Powerlifting Congress competition in November of 2003, Allan Mehan executed a technically perfect squat of 1,019.5 pounds. This was followed by 606-pound bench press and a 699-pound dead lift. When totaled, Mehan's 2,324- pound lifts ensured that he qualified to compete for the Arnold (Schwarzeneggar) Classic which will take place in Columbus, Ohio in April of 2004. He is the only Canadian to qualify for this event which carries a prize of as much as $20,000.00 US. These records also put Allan in the ranks of the top 10 power lifters in the sport throughout the world. Mehan not only won the Calgary event, he broke his own world record for the squat which he had set at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas in 2001.

Injuries have plagued Mehan throughout his life. "He had a major accident when he was four-years-old and then another when he was 13 but he persevered and kept going." ) K. Mehan - Allan's mother). In 2001 and again in 2002, Allan suffered injuries which put his career in jeopardy, but his perseverance paid off.

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Allan Mehan
November, 2003

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Allan's biggest fans are his parents Alward and Karlene Mehan. They received a package from their son just days before Christmas 2003. In it was the World Power Lifting and Bench Press Championship Medal Allan had won the month before. His mother recalled that Allan ". . .always told us that if he won the big one, he'd give us the medal. It's quite incredible and wonderful." It seems their feelings about their son are more than reciprocated. "My mom and dad have always been very supportive of my efforts. I played hockey all the way through school, played men's rugby, played soccer at the University of Maine. They are always there for me, offering good advice. My dad always makes sure I've got what I need and looks after my equipment. I couldn't ask for better parents."

Allan, recovered from his injuries and in excellent form, plans to continue with the sport for many years to come. In April of 2004, during competition, Allan broke the Canadian record with a bench press of 650 pounds. "In this sport you can only get better with age. I have high expectations and I want to be the best. It's great to have bragging rights for at least a year."