New Zealander Wins Silver At Powerlifting World Champs

New Zealander Wins Silver At Powerlifting World Champs

30 August 2013

New Zealand's Brett Gibbs won a silver medal at the International Powerlifting Federation (IPF) World Junior Championships in Texas, USA, on 30 August with a combined lift of 830kg.

Competitive powerlifting consists of athletes taking three attempts to do a squat, bench press and dead lift. The biggest lifts from each are added together and whoever has the highest total wins.

The 22-year-old Masterton man finished less than 20kg behind winner Roman Martynenko (Ukraine) in the under 83kg category but with three New Zealand records was pleased with his performance.

"It was a very hard day for me and some things did not go my way at all," said Gibbs. "(The winning total) was well within my reach but these this do happen and I'm still very proud."

Gibbs was New Zealand's sole entrant in the contest and had his parents alongside for support, ended the competition with a 320kg squat, 230kg bench and 280kg dead lift. A Collections officer at Bank of New Zealand, Gibbs is a multiple national champion and has trained for two years with these championships in mind.

"I'm really looking forward to a couple of weeks relaxing," says Gibbs, "it's very much needed!"

RESULTS IPF WORLD POWERLIFTING JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIPS (83KG):
1. Roman Martynenko (UKR) 857.5kg
2. Brett Gibbs (NZL) 830KG
3. Alexander Huber (AUT) 807.5kg

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