Powerlifters come out on top
Tokoroa is rapidly emerging as a champion powerlifting breeding ground.
The recent Oceania World Powerlifting Federation (WPF) Championships, which were held remotely and livestreamed from several participating countries, saw coach Kain Karu, 49, his son James, 15, and Nathen Carter, 15, come away with multiple medals and Oceania records.
It follows Forest View High School dean Frank Tasi winning gold during the 2019 World Powerlifting New Zealand National Championships after he lifted a 735kg combined total in the squat, bench press and deadlift.
During the Oceania championships Kain Karu, who competed in the Masters Super Heavyweight Division, managed a record-breaking 272kg squat, 170kg bench press and 270kg deadlift to win gold. He also scored silver in the Open Super Heavyweight Division.
James got silver in the 105kg Youth Division with a 158kg squat, 68kg bench press and 163kg deadlift, while Nathen, in the 85kg Youth Division, scored gold with a 140kg squat, 80kg bench press, and 160kg deadlift. He too now holds an Oceania record. Kain, who has been lifting for only three years, said he couldn’t be prouder.
‘‘We all qualified last year at the national championships, where I won the masters and the boys won their divisions, we prepared well for the journey to compete for New Zealand,’’ he said. He said the journey hasn’t been all plain sailing, though.
‘‘I also got the Oceania total record at 712kg for all three lifts but I was expecting more,’’ he said. ‘‘I was going in to beat the world record, but three weeks before competing I injured my back during training. I had to pull back on the squats and deadlifts and my doctors said I needed to run and swim instead, but I’m a stubborn bugger. My first line when I go to the doctors is that I’ve done some good laps of the pool but they know,’’ he laughed.
Kain said the secret to Tokoroa’s success comes down to the lifestyle.
‘‘We have got a lot of strong people here because there is a hands-on culture,’’ he said.
James said having his dad as coach was a bonus.
Nathen said he was proud to have achieved a record, having taken up the sport only a year ago.
‘‘It’s amazing after having not done so well at most other sports because I am small,’’ he said. The trio are now preparing for the North Island championships next month.