STRONG SILVER LINING
POWERLIFTING: Competing at the invite only ProRaw12 – one of Australia’s elite strength competitions – was reason enough to celebrate for Toowoomba’s Bianca Shepard.
Watching and competing alongside some of her idols is also a memory the personal trainer (pictured) will not forget anytime soon.
But the true moment of joy came when Shepard finished with a silver medal around her neck and a personal best.
Now Shepard is focused on taking her game to the next level.
COMPETING at ProRaw12 was the stuff of dreams for Bianca Sheppard.
The invite-only event is one of Australia’s elite power lifting competitions with the nation’s best male and female lifters all hoping to secure a ‘ticket’.
For Sheppard, the opportunity to watch and compete alongside lifters she idolises was a dream come true and her silver medal was the ‘cherry on top’.
“Before ProRaw the only other major event I had competed in was the Queensland titles,” she said
“I had no idea what to expect so really I was just going down there (Melbourne) with a focus on enjoying the experience.
“It was a little nerve wracking but once I was there I loved it every minute of it.
“Being able to meet some of the people I follow and idolise, talk to them and receive advice was amazing.
Competing in the under-60kg women’s division Sheppard finished with a 505kg total – enough to earn her silver.
She recorded a personal best squat of 205kg (up 5kg) as well as recording a 200kg deadlift and a 10kg bench press.
The personal trainer said the silver medal was something she was extremely proud of but was not always her primary focus.
“Bringing home silver is amazing,” she said.
“Lifting and competing is very personal for me though.
“Winning is great but focus is always on being better than the person I was before.
“When I have that personal focus that’s when I feel I get the best results.”