Young lifter to nationals
And that’s just the start for Mollie King, who has her eye on global competition
My family and trainers are amazing and Ascend Nutrition is sponsoring the nutrition side of things so I’m full of energy. Mollie King
What started out as a few Crossfit classes transformed into selection for the national weightlifting championships for a Whanganu Girls’ College student.
Year 11 Mollie King, 15, says she qualified at the Petone Weightlifting competition in April.
To qualify she needed to lift a total of 141kg between the snatch and clean and jerk categories.
“I lifted 63kg in the snatch category and 81kg in the clean and jerk category.”
She achieved this and then went on to improve her personal bests at the Manawatū -Whanganui Weightlifting Club competition this month.
“I lifted 80kg in the clean and jerk and 64kg in the snatch category. I’m quite proud of this. My total is now 144kg.”
She says her weightlifting started with Crossfit, with her family involved in the sport, and that involvement led to her liking of weightlifting.
“When I was about 4 years old my brother, sister and I would go to watch mum and dad at Crossfit Whanganui.”
She went from spectating to completing her own Crossfit classes at 7 years old when her parents enrolled her in the kids’ Crossfit class. She says since a young age, she has always liked the weight exercises.
“I found I enjoyed everything to do with the barbell. I joined the Crossfit club when I was 8 years old, taking part in both Crossfit and weightlifting.”
Two years ago the Whanganui Crossfit closed but lucky for Mollie, owners Matt and Carli Rayner stayed on as her personal trainers. She joined Aranui Crossfit that year.
“I left the Aranui branch late last year and since then I’ve been solely focused on my weightlifting.”
Now that she’s made the nationals, Mollie has her sights further afield, hoping to qualify for the world competition.
“If I don’t make it this year I’d like to make it next year. I also want to beat the records for my age group. To do this I’d need to lift 73kg in the snatch category and 91kg in the clean and jerk category.”
Mollie is busy training for the nationals in October. She says she appreciates the support of her family, coaches and sponsors.
“My family and trainers are amazing and Ascend Nutrition is sponsoring the nutrition side of things so I’m full of energy.”
Volunteer Whanganui supports 100 not-for-profit organisations with volunteers. Here are some positions that are available:
Urgent Job Vacancies — Volunteer Whanganui
■ Whanganui Liaison Officers — Canine Friends
■ Creative Space Board Members
■ Creative Space Treasurer
■ Creative Space Handy Person
■ Radio Operator
■ Activity Assistant
■ Eco Warrior Sorter Extraordinaire
■ Kai Whakapai/ Cleaner
■ Workshop Assistant/ Bike Mechanic
■ Library Shelver
■ Indoor Bowls Coach Assistant
■ Van Driver
■ General Handy Man
■ Special Olympics Committee Assistant Secretary
■ Mobile Blood Drive Support Assistants
■ Assistant Swimming Coach
■ Diabetes Board Members
■ Deck hand Waimarie
■ Night Crisis Line Worker
■ On Call Dial the Newsreader
■ Bowls Facilitator
■ Basketball Coach
■ Studio Assistant
■ City Mission Gardeners
■ Delivery Driver
■ Visiting Older People
■ Swim Club Coordinators
■ Walking Tour Guide
■ Walking Companion
■ Retail — Op Shop Whanganui East
■ Retail — Op Shop Gonville
■ Alexa (Voice) Support Person
■ Community Centre/ Library Assistant
■ Gardener
■ Market Assistant
■ Committee Member/ Administrator
■ Hostel Hand
■ Telephone Operator
■ Opp Shop Sorter/ Cleaner
■ Driver
■ Homework Group/ After- School Group Facilitator
■ Health Shuttle Driver
■ Health Shuttle Assistant
■ Volunteer Whanganui Raffle Sellers
■ Meals on Wheels Driver
■ Internet banking/Smartphones/ Tablets Tutor
■ Whanganui Community Patrol
■ Tram Conductors/ Motorman If you are interested in any of these volunteer positions, please call us or come and see us at Room 110, 60 Ridgway St, Community House, “the old post office building” in Whanganui. Opening hours: Monday-Thursday, 9am-4pm. Phone (06) 347 9430, email whanganui volunteercentre@xtra.co.nz, or visit volunteerwhanganui.org.nz.