Another uplifting experience for Durbin
Prospective clients sometimes do a double-take when they walk into the office of Rick Durbin, seeking financial advice.
“‘You must lift,’” he says is the typical response.
Yes, he does.
And he does it well.
Durbin, a powerlifter and former state wrestling champion at Post Falls High, most recently won the bench press in the Male Master 1 class at the USA Powerlifting national championships in Sioux Falls, S.D.
By winning, he made the USA team that will compete in the world championships in the Czech Republic in May 2020.
“That is something that I’ve always dreamed of, and this is the first opportunity that I’ve ever had. It’s just going to be a neat experience, and we’re looking forward to it. And Kim (his wife) says that’s the only way we’re going to travel to world is through powerlifting.”
DURBIN WON the bench press in his class at nationals, lifting 341 pounds to easily win his 183-pound class by some 50 pounds.
Two years ago, at nationals in Orlando, Fla., Durbin placed fourth at 183. But that was after competing in all three disciplines — bench, squat and deadlift.
This year, he focused simply on the bench.
“I can’t compete with those big guys,” Durbin said with a laugh. “I’m all upper body — no legs.
“That’s my lift, is bench. A bench presser, it’s very difficult for them to make up the difference on a person who can dead lift 700 pounds, and they bench 200 pounds. You just can’t catch ’em. And so I much prefer bench. I can bench 400 pounds easier than I can dead lift 400 pounds.
“Focus on your strengths, and that’s my strength. Not that I’m not competitive in the overall — I’m still ranked in the top 3 nationally in the overall powerlifting. It’s just, the older I get, the sorer the legs are, and the less I want to work on them.”
Durbin, who was Post Falls’ first state wrestling champion in 1987 (winning at 112 pounds), and won state again at 125 two years later as a senior, estimates he’s won roughly “over 10” state championships in powerlifting.
“I started powerlifting around 2008, and I’ve only lost one time,” Durbin said, “and that’s when I took third, with the exception of the last national tournament, where I took fourth. Those are the only two times that I haven’t won.”
DURBIN, WHO lives in Athol, holds state records in all three lifts at 183 in his Male Master 1 class, as well as the bench record at 165 and also at 174.
Two years ago, Durbin said he had hoped to start a powerlifting club in North Idaho, and there was some interest. But Rick and Kim opened their own financial advising firm in Hayden about a year ago, so those plans have wound up on the back burner.
Their work day starts at 4 a.m. to be ready when the stock market opens on the East Coast. They’ll take a break to lift, then it’s back to work.
Durbin turns 50 in May, and can move up to the Male Master 2 division (age 50-59). He says powerlifting is a passion that “keeps me young and healthy.”
If prospective clients sometimes do a double-take when they meet Durbin, imagine how prospective suitors of his now-21-year-old daughter might react when they show up at his house.
“And if I do have the ability to intimidate any of my daughter’s boyfriends, of course I’ll capitalize on that,” Durbin said with a laugh.
Mark Nelke is sports editor of The Press. He can be reached at 664-8176, Ext. 2019, or via email at mnelke@cdapress.com. Follow him on Twitter@CdAPressSports.