Ashleigh aims for greater heights
Highway's Ashleigh Marais is determined to show her strength at the next powerlifting competition in November this year.
WITH only four months of weight training behind her, Ashleigh Marais has quickly made a name for herself in the powerlifiting community.
The 20-year-old Hillcrest resident said she became interested in the sport a few months ago as she enjoyed the thrill of the sport. “It’s knowing that I am able to lift such heavy things and the passion for it that really drives me,” said Ashleigh.
Standing at 1.46m, she said that being so small allows her to show others that dynamite does come in small packages.
She currently does all of her training at the Virgin Active in Kloof under the watchful eye of her coach, Darwin Andrews. “I train every Monday,Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, for a one and a half hour session once a day,” said Ashleigh.
She recently competed in the RPC qualifiers and won the junior division for the 60kg weight group. She competed in all three disciplines and finished with a 70kg bench press, a 130kg deadlift and an 80kg squat. She also competed in the South African Championships in Johannesburg where she went up against five other juniors. Her weight class was dropped to 56kg and she once again took part in all three disciplines. She now holds the South African records for all three disciplines in both the 56 and 60kg classes.
“Taking part in the competitions was absolutely fantastic, but I was so nervous to compete. I just want to say a huge thank you to my coach, my family and my friends for all of the support that they have given me throughout my journey so far,” said Ashleigh.
In the near future she hopes that her overall weight lifted will reach 400kgs and her long term goal is to become the strongest woman in the world.
