Eighteen powerlifters from Sapphire Coast, Canberra and Sydney recently competed at the first Global Powerlifting Committee-sanctioned competition – the Iron Ascension.
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Lifters have three attempts at a squat, bench press and deadlift, with the best lift in each category combined to give a total score.
This total is then compared to those in your weight class to determine the winner.
Powerlifting is a sport for everyone, as demonstrated on the weekend – Sapphire Coast Barbell hosted male and female lifters of all shapes and sizes, ages, and experience levels.
The day was a huge success, with every lifter from SCB smashing their personal bests.
Starting with the women's, Vanessa Schimizzi from FUNC Fitness, Canberra, won the 52kg class with an amazing deadlift of 150kg – three times her bodyweight – and a huge 322.5kg total.
Schimizzi also won the overall. Her training partner, Emma Fitch, won the 67.5kg weight class with a PB total of 250kg.
The SCB girls performed spectacularly, with Ashleigh Hegedus and Natalie Thompson placing first and second respectively in the 82.5kg class.
A personal best 327.5kg total from Hegedus was enough to take the second place overall. Thompson scored a PB 255kg.
Loureen Kelly, who is an online client of SCB, trains in Eden and won the 90kg class with a massive 340kg total, and a huge 160kg deadlift, taking thirrd overall.
Darcy Hodson, in her first competition at SCB last year totaled 197.5kg. On Sunday, she won her second GPC competition with 297.5kg in the SHW class, adding 100kg to her total in a year!
Jess Ford, also in the SHW class, placed second in her weight class with a 260kg total in her first powerlifting competition.
For the men, Tony Harrington won the 60kg class with a total of 292.5, deadlifting well over double his body weight. Nathan Gorsch took second with a 230kg total.
The 82.5kg class was won by Andy Lance from FUNC, with an enormous 575kg total and second overall, with Aaron Gorsch second with 460kg.
Dan Whitaker won the 90kg class with a PB total of 375kg. Victor Baldwin made a huge improvement, adding over 100kg to his previous total to win the 100kg class with a 540kg total.
In the heavier classes, Nik Stone won the 110kg class and third place overall with a huge 650kg. Paul Jones from Burley Strength Canberra was second with 547.5kg.
Troy Wilson won the 140kg class with 540kg and Ven Tui, from Burley Strength, won the SHW class with a huge 785kg total.
It was a great day for all the lifters, especially those from SCB.
The place was packed with spectators, showing that powerlifting is gaining huge momentum locally.
Everyone cheered all the lifters during their attempts, celebrating their victories and sharing a collective sigh at a missed lift.
SCB plans on holding more novice and GPC-sanctioned comps in the future.
If you're interested in learning about strength training or powerlifting, call Dan on 0428 753 024, or find Sapphire Coast Barbell on Facebook.