Wellington woman lifts 342.5kgs   10 May 2016

Wellington woman lifts 342.5kgs

Lea Attenborough posted a 342.5kg total at April’s Central Districts Powerlifting Competition – no small accomplishment when she only weighs 63kg.

She achieved this mammoth total with a 122.5kg squat, 65kg bench and 155kg deadlift – the latter is an unofficial New Zealand national record.

Lea trains at 41° Weightlifting Club and is coached by Carolina (Carli) Dillen, she says “I’ve been training for Power Lifting for two years and this total is not only a PR for me, but also qualifies me for nationals in August which is my next training goal.”

She has represented New Zealand (December 2014 at the Asia & Oceania Powerlifting Championships) and is looking to qualify at Nationals in Christchurch in August this year to represent New Zealand again at the 2016 Asia & Oceania Powerlifting Championships.

“My biggest challenge in lifting is not physical, it's mental. If you tell yourself you can't, you're right. Positive mindset makes all the difference. You have to approach the bar for each lift, telling yourself I can and will do this with 100% conviction. As soon as any doubt creeps in, it's game over.”

“Many women are nervous at lifting heavy weights because they think it will make them bulky and too muscly – but this proves that you don’t have to be big to be strong.”

“Women's powerlifting is going through the roof in NZ. The support we have for each other is like no other sport.”

Lea manages to fit her training in at MaD Strength and Conditioning, Petone, between juggling a young, busy family, and managing her career. She says, “Sometimes it can be tough fitting everything in, but I’m really lucky to have the strong support from my family, my coach Carli, and a great group of training partners who keep me on task.”

ENDS

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