Athlete Journal: Chris Duffin, Entry 40 – Tactical Strength Challenge

EDITOR’S NOTE: Welcome to the Athlete Journal of world champion powerlifter Chris Duffin. Follow Chris as he trains and competes in various events over the coming year. Chris’s journal will be posted every Tuesday. You can also read about Chris on his personal website Kabuki Warrior.

Athlete Journal, Entry 40 – Tactical Strength Challenge

A change of pace is coming up. I’ve decided to compete at the end of April in an event called the Tactical Strength Challenge. This is an international event held once per year.

The Tactical Strength Challenge (TSC) is a strength competition consisting of three events:

• A three-attempt powerlifting deadlift
• Pullups for max reps
• Kettlebell snatches for max reps in a 5:00 time period

The winner is determined by the combined score in the three events, based on percentages of the TSC References Scores.The highest combined score wins. In the event of a deadlift tie, the lighter competitor places higher. In the event of a pullup tie, the heavier competitor places higher. In the event of a snatch tie, the tie stands. In the event of an overall tie (two or more lifters get same combined score), the tie stands.

After the TSC event I will be doing my first competition of the year on June 8th in Seattle WA at a charity meet held by Justin Randal.

In addition to the change in focus for the TSC meet I have also decided that I am going to spend some time bulking. I didn’t get as lean as I had hoped but regardless I can tell its time for me to being upping my calories.

MONDAY

Floor Press

45×10

135×5

225 x5

315×5

335 x2

375×5

Dips

Bodyweightx12

Bodyweight+120×10,8,6

Grappler Shoulder Press

X10,10,10

Sled Side & Front Delt Raises

5 sets each

TUESDAY

Ran into the gym at lunch

24kg Kettlebell Snatch Test (2nd time ever doing them)

100 reps in 4:30. Felt pretty easy so I pumped out another 30 in :60 to see how that pace felt.

Turkish Getup

24kg x 20

THURSDAY

Fasted AM before work. I missed Wednesday evening due to a very busy schedule.

Deadlift

Warmup then

585×1

675×1

765×0 – My left hand had opened up and was bleeding all over so it was shutting me down.

GHR (#2 and set close)

101 reps over 4-5 sets

SATURDAY

Fasted AM

32kg Snatch Test

85 in 5:00

Pullups

Weighted – 10,10

Bodyweight – 12,12,12,12,12,10,10

1-arm Dumbbell Row

120×20,20/arm

Sled Lat Rows

150chain/arm x 3 sets

Kettlebell Face Pull

50×20,20