Forget cardio – according to these gym junkies, powerlifting is the way to go.
The Western District Barbell Club is celebrating after five of its members qualified for the International Powerlifting Federation’s “raw championships”, which will be held in South Africa next month.
Powerlifting is a strength sport that requires three attempts at hoisting weights in three lifts: squat, bench press and deadlift.
Tamara Navarro, Kerri-Anne Cauchi and Stephen Pritchard,and founding members Andrew Tang and John Paul Cauchi, made the cut for South Africa after achieving A-grade or elite II standard at national level.
Their qualification is a coup for the club, which has been running only for the past year and has more than 60 members.
Tang said the club promoted healthy, drug-free training and competition, with members coming from all walks of life.
Tang is completing a medical degree, while Ms Cauchi finished high school last year. Her brother, John Paul, is a strength and
conditioning coach, while Pritchard is in the legal profession and Navarro is doing a psychology degree.
“Cardio is boring. Strength training is the way to go,” Tang says.
“It’s fun, it’s always new. We want to endorse healthy habits, and we want a group of 10 to 15 to be representing Australia in the next five years.”
Tang says Cauchi is likely to win in the deadlift division after strong recent performances, while her brother has a good chance of medalling in every weight class.
“It’s not just about medalling,” Navarro says. “If we improve ourselves, be our best [that’s the goal]. It’s you against you.”
Members train up to seven days a week at CrossFit Rise Up in Sunshine, but they hope to open their own gym in Ravenhall later this year.
For more details about the club, email westerndistrictbarbell@gmail.com.
Charlene Macaulay
