World Association of Bench Pressers & Deadlifters

We are an association of lifters who enjoy competing in the single-lift bench press and deadlift on state, national, and international levels. We are a drug-free organization and all meets are drug-tested.

We invite you to learn about our organization and encourage you to participate in competitions. Your comments and suggestions for making this organization more "lifter-friendly" are always appreciated and considered!

Mr. Jerry Capello - With Sadness & Respect for a Fallen Brother in Iron (from WABDL President Gus Rethwisch)

I was truly saddened to hear that Jerry Capello died on Sunday morning in Canyonville, Oregon from a massive heart attack.

Jerry was a man's man. He was a logger until age 40. His father was killed logging. He was one of the best master deadlifters in the world if not the best. Until Jerry died, there was talk of a WABDL Hall of Fame. It's a reality now and the first inductee will be Jerry Capello.

I talked to Jerry about a month ago and he said his doctor told him to quit eating so much meat. Jerry told me "I need it for the deadlift power". He was taking cholesterol medicine and two older brothers died in their forties due to complications from cholesterol. Jerry knew the risks. He probably had a couple of soul searching talks with himself and decided that the risk was worth it.

Jerry Capello was a deadlifter first, personal trainer second. Deadlifting identified his essence, his very being. He wasn't going to give it up for anything or anybody. He had the highest deadlift of any lifter, over 50-806.7#, a world record in master 47-53 242#. He may be the only drug free lifter to ever deadlift 800 at 242# or less.

Some of you may think his death is tragic but he died in his prime, which I personally think is better than to die in a rocking chair or be somebody like me who tells people he used to be one of the best, but now is barely able to deadlift 300# after heart surgery when I have done 865.

Less than 16 hours before he died Jerry deadlifted 733 and literally pulled his heart out on 771. Based on what Jerry's symptoms were while warming up, he was having a heart attack while pulling 733 and 771. Nobody can do that except Jerry Capello. He thought his pain and discomfort was from a pec tear that he suffered on his first attempt or maybe he even knew he was having a heart problem and did not want to alarm his wife Pam. He was tough. He'll wait until he gets back to Medford and have it checked out.

I always wanted to deadlift 900# and die on the platform. Jerry Capello basically did just that. He died doing what he lived for, deadlifting.