By Pete Vasquez
Pvasquez@cherryroad.com

San Diego’s powerlifting marvel Marcelo Sanchez has his bags packed and ready to hit the road to Abilene for the State High School Powerlifting Championships Mar. 20-21. Weigh ins are on Thursday, Mar. 20 and competition Friday, Mar. 21.  

It’s his first time yet he’s fueled up feeling happy about it and his mind is focused on that squat, bench and deadlift. Sanchez said he has a way to improve his mental focus before a lift. 

“I go into this type of zone where I usually think of something that really gets me mad or something that gets me focused and that’s what really makes me lock in,” he said. 

His strategy for gaining strength is working out with what the coach puts on the board. He says his coaches help him a lot. 

“My Coaches Luna, Martinez and Ochoa encourage me to compete. I look to them as mentors and role models as they have experience and a strong knowledge of lifting. My friend Victor Madrigal had been telling me to do powerlifting for a while. He’s like my second coach that tells me this is good or this is bad,” Sanchez said.  

Soreness and fatigue are part of the sport, says Sanchez, so powerlifters must take it easy at points throughout the year. With powerlifting comes injuries so what’s the common injury overall? 

“I would probably have to say knees, elbows and wrists,” he said. 

This is Sanchez’s first year in powerlifting, and he admits that he waited too long to start. 

“I was finishing up practice for track and coach Luna had been wanting me to do it and he got with me afterwards and told me to stay behind so I could try the bench suit. I tried it on and did four plates easy my first time. I thought this would be more painful than what I thought but now I think I really missed out. I missed out a lot on the sport,” he said. 

Marcelo is incredibly excited headed to the big meet and appreciated the family support. 

“I would like to thank my dad for always being there showing his support. My mom for her support. For keeping me going and getting the equipment I need to powerlift,” he said.