Trainstation hosts national champs
National and world records tumble at powerlifting event in Te Awamutu
NPOWERLIFTING ovember 4-5 was a weekend to remember for Te Awamutu’s Trainstation gym as it hosted the GPC New Zealand powerlifting nationals, the first time the event has been held outside the main cities. It was the biggest nationals to date with 79 athletes, it was held over two days for the first time and sponsored by local business’ Scafpro, GO HARD, BurgerFuel, Pop ‘ N’ Good Popcorn, TSE, KAOS powerlifting, Safety Genius, Moose on Wheels, Sportsfuel, Devil’s Breath, Delish Tans and Waipā District Council. GPC NZ president and Trainstation coach/owner Mike Smith had one goal in mind, to bring the elite lifters in the country together to break as many New Zealand and world records as possible. A whopping 21 new world record holders and 46 new national records were recorded during the two days. “Even those records were broken time and time again so true numbers are actually much higher, but with the sportsmanship of all athletes and electric vibe, the fully packed venue produced nothing but standout results from all athletes. I couldn’t be any prouder to have this achieved in my hometown in front of the greatest support one could ask for,” Smith said. Many local athletes had success. Cambridge’s Bobby Scott, 15, training out of Trainstation, broke a sought after world record squat, Xavier Karam, 15, broke a world record dead lift — not once but twice making his powerlifting mum/coach the proudest person around — and Chara Reti having the duel of the day with an Auckland-based athlete. They went one for one on squats each bettering each other in the newly formed under 100kg and hotly contested women’s division. An elite level battle that saw both come away with impressive stats in different age classes and Reti achieving a world record. Also in that division was Huntly’s Marley Martin, 17, who took four world records on nationals debut. National records fell to locals Reiti, Scott, Lauren McFarlane, Karam, Milla Botha and coach Smith. A special mention goes to Sharnae Rowland who took massive strides in the biggest women’s lineup of recent years, taking a third spot to seasoned veterans. Other highlights were Tauranga’s
Also in that division was Huntly’s Marley Martin, 17, who took four world records on nationals debut.
Dimi Hanara from the Hawke’s Bay set a New Zealand all-time heaviest bench record, using an F8 equipped bench shirt, of 405kg. Smith thank the volunteers from throughout the country who pulled together to make the weekend a reality — all local sponsors, the Te Awamutu community but more than anyone his fiance Justine Miller who “keeps his head screwed on”. Te Awamutu will host the nationals in 2024. Jaime Canton hitting the second heaviest women’s dead lift in GPC NZ history at 213.5kg and Blenheim’s Cyril Heywood here for not just the win, but to pick up the fourth heaviest dead lift in GPC NZ history at 356kg.