Tom Guiney, an Albert Lea High School graduate, recently won his fourth deadlifting world championship.

Guiney competed at the World Association of Benchers and Deadlifters in Las Vegas Nov. 12 through Nov. 17 and won the world title in the 308 pound weight class with a lift of 666.7 pounds. The lift was a state record and a personal best for Guiney.

“I felt relieved, like I finally did it,” Guiney said.

Guiney moved from the super heavyweight division down to the 308 pound division this year for health reason and says he’s feeling more comfortable at that weight.

Guiney started training for the world championship in July. He worked on keeping his weight down before the event, and he came in at 302 pounds before the event.

More than 500 weightlifters competed at the event at the Rivera with lifters coming in from Brazil, Russia and other places around the globe, WABDL founder Gus Rethwisch. Twenty-six records were set at the world championship, Rethwisch said.

The winners do not receive any prize money, just a trophy for their accomplishments.

The WABDL is one of two organizations that hold world championship in power lifting. The other, the International Federation of Powerlifters, is considered more prestigious, Rethwisch said.

The WABDL regularly tests lifters for performance enhancing drugs.

Guiney plans o compete again in July in Reno or Texas or in Minnesota in August.