(La Porte County, IN) - Bobby Greer is no stranger to power lifting. He’s been competing, nationally and internationally, for years.
It appears his daughter is a chip off the old block. Greer’s 16-year-old daughter Ryli is now doing some heavy lifting. Last month the two of them competed in the International Powerlifting Federation (IPF) world championships in Norway.
In February at a national bench press competition in New Orleans, both Greers qualified to advance. Last month the father-daughter duo competed in Drammen, Norway near Oslo.
At 43, Bobby says he’s still as competitive as ever, but his focus now is helping his daughter and carving out some quality time. “It’s more about her now,” he said. “How many dads can say that they get to go bench with their 16-year-old daughter, and they still want to hang out with them? I’m going to live this up as long as I can.”
Ryli, who just finished her junior year at New Prairie, agrees that bench press is a good way to bond with her dad. They work out together at Fitness Plus in La Porte as often as possible, which is tricky with Bobby’s work schedule. “He works a lot, and usually he’s working nights, so I don’t see him a lot,” said Ryli. “So when we’re lifting together, it just gives us time together. And not many people can say that they go to the gym and work out with their dad.”
The Greers get direction from a bench press coach in New Hampshire, but Ryli credits her dad for showing her the ropes. “He’s taught me everything I know,” she said. Bobby says Ryli has become dedicated to weightlifting, sometimes hitting the gym early in the morning before school. “Her work ethic is unreal,” he added. “We’re just so proud of her.”
Last year Ryli won a local bench press competition, then won her division at nationals, and placed 6th at the world championships in Austin, Texas.
This year in Norway, Bobby said his daughter “moved up in the world,” literally. Ryli, who weighs 130, benched143 pounds, barely missing 154, which was good enough for 5th place. Bobby put up 451 pounds, taking 6th in his division.
The pair spent a week in Norway. They raised money for the trip by getting sponsorships and selling T-shirts proclaiming “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Bobby has competed abroad before, but this was the first time Ryli got to join him. “There were lots of different things to see. It was so different from America,” she said of the experience.
Ryli says with a little more training, she hopes to bench 160 pounds very soon and eventually hit 200. She and her dad are now training for the next national competition in February.
