Liz Cabe (left) and Velma Panlasigui compete in deadlifts at the World Bench and Deadlift World Championships. Cabe pulled 321 pounds to set a new Master Division world record.

LAHAINA – The WABDL-World Bench and Deadlift World Championships were held recently in Reno, Nevada.

Lifters from throughout the world converged to compete for world titles. Three Maui women continued to excel in the Women’s Division deadlift.

World champion Liz Cabe continued her dominance in the 97-pound weight class. Cabe won her fourth Open and Master Division world titles, lifting a remarkable 321 pounds at a body weight of 93 pounds. Cabe also set a new Master Division world record and was named the best Master Division deadlifter.

Velma Panlasigui deadlifted 308 pounds to win her third 132-pound weight class, Master Women Division title and placed second in the Open Division.

Velma also competed in the Women’s Division bench press, winning the Master Division with a new personal best of 171 pounds. Her lift was also good for fourth place in the Open Division.

Colleen Loo, the 2010 Open and Junior Division, 105-pound weight class world champion, repeated last year’s success with wins in both divisions.

Loo broke the 105-pound Junior Division world record with a deadlift of 314 pounds. Loo was named best Women Junior Division deadlifter with her first, three-times body weight lift.

All three women train at Lahaina’s Valley Island Fitness Center and are coached by Craig Desoto.