Six weightlifters from Napa’s HealthQuest Fitness Center and Swim School recently traveled to Reno, Nev., and returned with several medals.

For Mike Bonifield, longtime coach of the Healthquest power lifters, it was his 10th visit to the WADBL World Weightlifting Competition.

The Worlds event took place Oct. 26-Nov. 1, with representatives from 20 countries and 12 states.

The competition represents the culmination of various WADBL weightlifting events held over the course of the year, and competing lifters must place in a nationally recognized event to qualify. 

Bonifield has captured first place in his age and weight category on four prior occasions. 

It has been his goal to impart his weightlifting wisdom to lifters of all ages, who meet weekly at Healthquest to improve their skills through his instruction.

Bonifield, who has been coaching for over 25 years, set the pace early in the week by claiming two first places and setting world records in both the 68-74 age/259-pound weight class and disabled class, bench pressing 330 pounds.

Pamela Robinson — the mother of Olympic bronze medalist BMX racer Donny Robinson — took first place and set a new world record in the 47-53 age/97-lb. weight class, bench pressing 138.5 lbs.

Shawn Tisdale, a Napa High senior in the Teen category, earned two first places and world records in both the bench press, at 208 lbs., and the dead lift at 303 lbs.

Ken Engleman took second place in the 47-53 age/242-lb. weight class, dead lifting 437 lbs.

Mike Basayne placed third in the 47-53 age/198-lb. weight class, bench pressing 308.5 lbs.

Finally, Lee Joiner took fifth place in the 68-74 age/181-lb. weight class, bench pressing 187.5 lbs. 

The lifters have resumed training at Healthquest.

The next qualifying meet for the 2010 WABDL Worlds will be in March in Chico.