Uplifting times at powerlifting champs
Te Awamutu’s Trainstation Gym hosted the 2024 Global Powerlifting Committee New Zealand (GPCNZ) Powerlifting Bench Press Championships a fortnight ago.
This was attended by 40 athletes from across the country with a home team of seven.
Many records were set with a very impressive 145kg New Zealand equipped record going to regular podium finisher Paula Johnstone of Trainstation who also won the equipped overall section.
Trainstation newcomer Tim Vercoe competed as a novice and shocked the crowd by taking out seasoned veterans in the male open division. He won the whole show with what appeared to be an easy 170kg lift.
“Tim is an absolute pleasure to have training in our community and we all can’t wait to see more of him,” Trainstation owner/coach Mike Smith said.
The other huge success of the day was Te Awamutu personal trainer and coach Sharnae Rowland, a lastminute entrant who added an extra 10kg to her bench in the same competition from last year.
She completed a 95kg lift to take out the first position and come painfully close to nabbing a long-standing 97.5kg New Zealand record.
“Sharnae in my opinion is the mover and shaker in female powerlifters in New Zealand going from strength to strength in the the three lifts,” Smith said.
“Many people are noticing and will be very exciting watching her in the next full power meet this year.”
A special mention goes to the Hamilton couple, with Te Awamutu connections, coach Jared and Cat Seeney. Cat took a well-deserved New Zealand record and Jarred also took out a long standing New Zealand record of a 141kg lift in an absolute exhibition of how to bench press.
“Very proud of these two and can’t wait to see them, like Sharnae, on board at the upcoming Waikato Regionals, the TA SLAY, in Te Awamutu on March 16,” Smith said.
The biggest successful lift of the day went to Dimi Henara with an outstanding 365kg equipped bench, not far off his 400kg world record.
Henara vows to be back by the August nationals to add to his world record. The day was sponsored by local companies My Whey, NOBULL and Sign Genius.