New Zealand is going from strength to strength in the powerlifting world, with more people getting involved in the sport than ever before.
Aotearoa has a record number of powerlifters performing on the international stage too.
1News met two powerlifters training together at Christchurch Gym Hyperbolic. 27-year-old Maui Koopu is heading to the World Champs in Germany next month and 24-year-old Melissa Ta would compete in the Asia Pacific Competition in Japan in July.
Koopu first tried the sport in 2018 and said: “I’ve fallen in love ever since”.
His best lifts are impressive.
“318kg squat in the 120kg class, so that’s the national record currently. I’ve done a 207.5kg bench press and a 315kg deadlift.”
He will take a weight belt with him, customised by his friend.
“It signifies my heritage and culture, being half Japanese and half Māori, something I carry with me when I go to the world stage you know.”
Melissa Ta weighs 47kg — and has only been lifting for a year —but already she’s progressed quickly, ever since her friend suggested she try the sport out.
“I have maxed out my squat at 120kg and my bench is currently at 80kg.”
She said her strength takes people by surprise.
“I go lift and they’re like ‘oooh’. Their eyes kinda go wide and go ‘wow she’s strong’. It does make me chuckle on the inside a little bit, it’ts a nice feeling.”
They both said they felt honoured to be representing New Zealand at the different events. Ta said “I really want to do well for New Zealand”.
Powerlifting Coach Rory Lynch said “New Zealand sort of punches well above our weight internationally”.
“Last year we had two world champions from little old New Zealand,” he said.
The sport is going through a growth phase here, he added.
“If we look at the numbers before Covid, say 2019, we had under 500 competitors annually. Last year we were looking at close to 800 people competing in the main federation in New Zealand.”
He said much of that growth, is from younger women getting into the sport.
“There’s some strong as women in New Zealand,” Ta laughed.
Both Koopa and Ta were encouraging more people to join their sport.
“If you’re a female, just do it, this is your sign,” Ta said.
Koopa agreed, saying, “there’s a lot of pathways for powerlifters coming in and it’s great to see”.
“Definitely give it a go, have a smile on your face and fall in love with it like I did.”