Bodybuilder in the big league
Callan West's national title hopes head north
Te Awamutu’s Team Trainstation competed at the WFFNZ Pan Pacific Ragnarok bodybuilding show and the co-event the GPCNZ deadlifting event last Saturday night in Ellerslie, Auckland.
Trainstation had a team of 10 competing through both categories and were pleased to see the Rosetown Posedown overall sports model winner Callan West do it again with a big reward taking out the Pans.
It was an amazing result that puts Callan in the big league now with a definite confidence booster when looking for his first national title in three weeks at the same venue, and a possible selection in the New Zealand team to the world’s if he plays his cards right.
“What an amazing debut season for Callan, not many can back up for five or six shows a year and this guy just keeps getting better,” says coach Mike Smith.
Lloyd Rangitaawa was unstoppable once again, picking up first place in the masters over 60 and also eyeing up another national title in three weeks.
Over on the powerlifting stage, Liza Druce put in her most significant lift ever to secure first place for the open women’s title.
Tracey Karam placed second in the open female deadlifting, coming second to Liza with a 150 deadlift in just her second contest with many
more to come, while the previous TA SLAY winner and former Te Awamutu resident Wade Te Huia, returned from injury to take out the men’s with a 340kg lift — weighing in at a slimmed down 151kg bodyweight.
Coach Mike Smith put his best points total on the board for the year and narrowly beat powerlifting rival Geordie Shields for third spot in the open men’s.
The whole team was on point with all doing personal bests or close to it; notable mention goes to Johnny O’Byrne who performed like a pro in his first outing with much more to give.
The next show is the WFFNZ Nationals on October 15 when a few of the team are hoping for world title team selection.