Best days seem still ahead for powerlifter Rich Flores

Seventy used to be such a magical number.

Now it beckons scrutiny and asterisks.

Rich Flores of Chicago Heights will reach 70 his next birthday. And can he help it that his powerlifting personal-bests continue to get better with age?

"The records for 70-74 are going to get lower ... or easier," said Flores, who recently received the "Best Lifter Award" at the AWPC World Powerlifting and Bench Press Championships, held Aug. 3-5 in Rosemont.

"But I still feel I'm getting stronger. At least my squats are getting better."

At Rosemont, Flores cleared a 556.6-pound squat to add to his age-group world and national records. It was yet another PB for Flores.

Flores, who often trains at Last Rep Gym in Dyer with his wife and manager, Cathy, and fellow powerlifter Rich Glumac, generally competes in "drug-free" events where competitors are subject to drug tests and/or lie-detector tests.

"There are times when I compete in non-tested events, and obviously, some people may be using something," Flores said. "You can't really point fingers and you have to take someone at their word.

"But in my age group, most of the drug users are either long gone out of the sport or dead by now."

Aside from religious weight training, Flores' longevity and continued excellence can be attributed to his diet, which is carefully monitored by Cathy. His diet and choice of natural supplements are listed on his personal web site, which was created and is maintained by his wife.

Flores' accomplishments and history are also listed on the site, which will likely be updated periodically.

"As long as I can stay healthy," Flores said.

For more information about Rich Flores' powerlifting career, go to www.richflores.com.