Don Bryant and Jon Haase each has his sight set on gold at the World Police and Fire Games.
But if that doesn’t happen, their trip to Fairfax, Va., for the Games is sure to be rewarding. From previous experience, each of the Vancouver residents knows that the every-other-year event is as much about making new friends as it is about competing.
“The big reason I go is the camaraderie,” said Haase, noting that he has developed close friendships from the three World Police and Fire Games he has attended.
Haase is a Sergeant with the Multnomah County Corrections Department who has lived in Vancouver for 14 years. Bryant is a retired corrections deputy and 30-year Vancouver resident.
Haase will be shooting for a second consecutive golf medal on the golf course, while Bryant will be looking for his first World Police and Fire Games gold medal in the bench press. Each is scheduled to compete next Monday through Wednesday. The Olympic-style event for athletes who work in public safety runs Friday through July 5. An estimated 12,000 athletes representing 70 countries and more than 60 sports are expected to participate.
Haase played baseball at Portland State. But when he was no longer able to play the sport he grew up loving, he discovered a passion for golf.
Bryant entered his first bench press contest in 2010. A lifelong lifter, he said having competitions has added to the focus of his workouts.
“I lift because it makes me feel good,” Bryant said, adding that at 58 years old he sees a lot of productive years ahead.
“I’ll be lifting into my 80s — hopefully into my 90s,” he said.
This will be the third World Police and Fire Games for Bryant. In 2011 in New York, he was surprised by the level of competition.
“I was happy I went, but I was disappointed in my performance,” he said, noting that lifting in front of an audience of more than 1,000 was then a new experience for him.
Two years ago in Belfast, Northern Ireland, Bryant earned a silver medal in the 55-59 age division for lifters who weighed between 242 and 275 pounds. A Russian general narrowly won that gold medal among the 15 competitors.
Bryant’s personal best competitive lift is 325 pounds — which he set in March at the World Association of Bench Press and Deadlifts North American Championships, which were held in Portland. His goal for this meet is to lift 330 or 335 pounds.
“In my heart I feel I can get the gold this time,” Bryant said. “I’ll be happy with any medal I get because I’m competing with the best of my peers from around the world.”
Did you know?
The World Police and Fire Games were first held in 1985. This is the 16th edition of the Games.
Operated by the California Police Athletics Federation, the WPFG grew from the California Police Olympics.
