Three mighty masters lifters from Real Strength, Castlemaine, performed some amazing feats of strength at the recent National Masters Powerlifting Championships, held at Hawthorn.
No less than 350 competitors from around the country competed to make this the most significant masters powerlifting competition to date in the history of the sport.
Marco Kandybko, 56 lifted on Friday night in the over 50, 83kg class. After settling some nerves from the week previous to the competition start, he finished off with a personal best Bench Press of 87.5kg, Deadlift of 172.5kg and total of 417.5kg. He placed fourth in a very competitive division.
Lifting in his first national championships was Richard Dixon, 64 years. Richard lifted in the over 60 years, 83 kg class on Friday evening and won his division to become national champion. Lifting 100kg in the squat, 57.5kg in the Bench Press, and a very impressive 140kg Deadlift.
Therese Pollard, 69 years, in her second National Championships had her best competition to date. She made light work of three national records! 92.5kg in the Squat, 117.5kg in the deadlift, and a total of 252.5 kg in the 65-69 year class. It’s hard to believe that Therese will be eligible to lift in the over 70 years class next year, and she will be truly World standard at this age and weight class!
Real Strength coach Dean Mawby congratulated his lifters on an amazing performance and was delighted with all of their efforts. He also thanked everyone from Real Strength who participated in recent media coverage with the SBS and ABC as many people acknowledged how this had given them the courage to take up lifting weights and stepping up onto the platform on the weekend! For more of the latest sport news see last Friday’s Castlemaine Mail.