Published: August 21, 2008 11:06 pm      

RECREATION: Local powerlifter Fiori presses on

Powerlifting has taken plenty out of David Fiori. He’s determined to get all he can in return.

Beyond the physical toll of training, powerlifting weighs down a budget. The cost of gym memberships, equipment, supplements, entry fees and travel adds up to about $2,000 a year, according to Fiori’s estimates. Almost none of that is offset in a sport that gives its champions little more than a plastic trophy and a hardy pat on the back. The biggest powerlifting prize Fiori has ever heard of is $1,000, given to the world-record holder in the bench press.

One of only reliable ways for a lifter to make money is to secure sponsorships, something Fiori has put as much energy into as his training programs.

Last year, the 32-year-old Niagara Falls native became the first amateur powerlifter sponsored by ATP Pro Gear, testament to his record-setting performance at the World Natural Federation-sanctioned state championships, as well as his dogged self-promotion toward ATP owner Alan Thomas.

Recently, Fiori picked up ElectriFire, a natural, stimulant-free energy drinks, as a sponsor, received a career-long commitment from ATP, and has been negotiating with a major supplement company.

In training, Fiori has concentrated on improving his bench press, lifting with the Tonawanda Barbenders at the Aquatic and Fitness Center. Earlier this month in Rochester, he set a state record at the International Powerlifting Association-sanctioned state championships, putting up 400 pounds, a personal best. Brochey and Hailey also set records at the event.

Fiori surprised himself at the meet, considering he only trained for five weeks after taking a year off while he married the former Melissa Slagel. And his final training sessions were canceled after a spider bite put him the hospital for a night.

“They put me on an IV,” he said. “I got real fat, then lost a lot of weight, and I felt like garbage.”

While continuing to train for planned meets in October and November, Fiori said he is going to devote some of his time to helping his friends get sponsored, particularly Brochey, Hailey and Ron Primerano, a local bodybuilder who writes Fiori’s nutrition plans, and stood up in his wedding.

“The people that have helped me, I want to help them now,” Fiori said. “We all work for a living, we all have mortgages, we all pay taxes, we all have wives. We need a (financial) break somewhere.”

Contact reporter Jonah Bronstein at 282-2311, ext. 2258.