Record-breaking TASLAY success
Powerlifting triumphs abound at TASLAY 2024
Te Awamutu and Trainstation gym hosted the fourth annual TASLAY, the Global Powerlifting Commitee New Zealand (GPCNZ) Waikato regionals on Saturday.
The event has grown into one of the biggest meets of its kind nationally with the 51 maximum spots sold out four months prior - within just three hours.
“What makes it so popular is the community aspect we receive in Te Awamutu, with many local businesses like Scafpro and Property Brokers Te Awamutu sponsoring and attending, as well as the positivity of the crowd from all walks of life supporting the athletes as they give it their all,” Trainstation owner and coach, GPCNZ president, promoter and World Fitness Federation New Zealand (WFFNZ) pro athlete Mike Smith said.
“This year we had many clients from Whangārei to the bottom of the South Island attend.
“We had about 32 New Zealand records broken, many personal bests and many athletes qualifying for the Te Awamutu-based nationals in August.”
One of the standout athletes with Te Awamutu connections was James Hollingshead.
Hollingshead resides in Hamilton but is a regular at Trainstation. This was his fourth TASLAY, taking three second places and top honours over
all in the men’s division.
“I am so grateful for James and all he does for Waikato powerlifting so was truly rewarding seeing him take top spot,” Smith said.
“A special mention goes to Luke Povey of Auckland who pushed him all the way and is a top contender for the nationals.”
Te Awamutu local Sharnae Rowland showed her growing stature in New Zealand powerlifting, taking second place in the open female section after a less than ideal prep, being bed-ridden with sickness the week leading into the competition.
WFFNZ pro bodybuilder Amber
Brine, a close associate of Trainstation, was well prepared and had a near perfect execution in all her lifts.
Brine broke many national records and an unofficial world record on her way to the top.
She is back in Te Awamutu next month for a bodybuilding seminar for the Te Awamutu public.
Another Waikato athlete, Penny Morely - who is coached by Brine, took out third spot with some impressive lifts.
Men’s masters overall honours went to Brine’s husband Chris, another hybrid athlete with New Zealand bodybuilding titles to his name.
This was Chris Brine’s first three lift in many years and he showed he could go all the way.
Hamilton’s Aaron McKay and Jarred Seeney placed second and third with their eyes set on the nationals after qualifying numbers were met.
Cat Seeney placed second in the female masters with Cambridge teammate Caroline Webbon in third.
Te Awamutu athlete Rachel Young added more kilograms to her recent personal records and a new national record to take out the female bench press section.
Trainstation’s Tim Vercoe also took out the men’s bench press.
Rounding out the results was Smith, who won the squat-only section, opening on a New Zealand record and breaking it four times in succession.
This was his return to squats after a three-year hiatus, beating his personal best by 12.5kg with a 217.5kg squat.
“These events can’t happen without all the support received from athletes, coaches, supporters, sponsors and family, so thank you all,” Smith said.
The date has been set already for the fifth TASLAY event on March 15, 2025.