Symie Sermay of Las Cruces can curl 30 pounds, bench press 45 and deadlift (her favorite event) 60 pounds.

Now that may not impress you buffed-up bodybuilders, but Sermay is 95 years old -- the oldest person ever to compete in the New Mexico State Powerlifting and Power Sports meet in Rio Rancho on April 26, according to the Las Cruces Sun-News.

Her trainer, Richard Kahle, owner of Kahle's Gym in Las Cruces where Sermay works out three days a week, says she's likely to face a challenge from some young whippersnappers -- in the 75-and-under division, the Sun-News said.

Kahle told the Sun-News that Sermay is the oldest person ever to compete in the Natural Athlete Strength Association-sponsored event, with the previous record held by an 88-year-old.

Sermay, who spent most of her life in New England and Florida, operating a restaurant and motel, but when her husband died, she moved to the Good Samaritan Retirement Center in Las Cruces to be close to her daughter, 62-year-old Storm Sermay, who is also lifting in the Rio Rancho event, the Sun-News said.

"It's pretty impressive," 26-year-old lifter Ty Franzoy told the Sun-News, who will also compete this month. "It's good to know somebody that age doing what she's doing. Most 95-year-olds, lots of them can barely stand up. It's just impressive." 

Your Name:

Your Email Address:

Rate this article:
Poor Great

Comment:

BOLD

"QUOTE"

UNDERLINE