Karl Di Falco is raising the bar in his bid for glory.
The 26-year-old elite powerlifter from Airport West, will next month fly to Belarus to represent Australia in the world championships.
His rise has been meteoric since he started competing seriously in the sport four years ago.
“I was doing some kick-boxing training and weights stuff,” he said.
“Someone watched me train and said I should try powerlifting.
“I was able to break some junior national records in my first year, transitioned to open division in my second year and broke national records, and then moved up a weight division in year three and did pretty well, too.
“Now I’m off to the worlds, which is pretty exciting.”
Di Falco now competes in the 74-kilogram class, lifting more than three times his body weight at times. He broke the national squat record with 241.5 kilograms earlier this year and has held the national deadlift record with a staggering 278-kilogram lift.
He said that if he maintained his form there was no reason he couldn’t have success in Belarus.
“I’m looking forward to competing against the world’s best,” he said.
“I’m hoping for a top 10 finish at least, and if everything goes to plan, top five. I’ve managed my body really well and I’m feeling good, so I’ve just got to stick to the plan now.
“It can be quite stressful on the body, but my training is going really well so I’m hoping it’s a successful trip.”
