Kempton powerlifter sets two South African records
“I did not know what powerlifting was and my dad eventually convinced me to try it out.”
Hoërskool Kempton Park learner JP Blom set two national records when he recently participated in the SA Equipped Powerlifting Championships.
The Grade 12 learner achieved an overall first place as the best sub-junior in the 93kg weight class.
In the squat event, he set the South African record with a weight of 235.5kg.
On the bench, he lifted 120kg and a further 220kg in the deadlift.
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Blom’s total of 575.5kg was also listed as a South African record.
Blom said he started training only on deadlift during lockdown.
“In 2021, I asked my friend, Samuel Fraustein, if he knew of any strength test competitions, and he told me to visit the South African Powerlifting Federation website.
“That’s where I found the Gauteng Championships,” said Blom.
“I did not know what powerlifting was and my dad eventually convinced me to try it out.”
Blom said his coach, Rodney John Anthony, encouraged him to sign up for the competition.
“He and his wife gladly took me under their wing and guided me.”
Blom said Anthony gave him a crash course about the rules of powerlifting just a week before the competition.
“I obtained a third place at my first competition in the 105kg weight division as a sub-junior with a squat of 110kg, bench of 70kg and a deadlift of 162.5kg. I was just 14,” said Blom.
“After that, I participated in my first national event where I placed fifth.”
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Blom added after the competition, he dropped to 88kg from 100kg bodyweight because another powerlifting friend, Diego, advised him to go to a lower-weight class.
At the same time, he faced his first injury, which was a lower back injury.
Blom said a few months later, he competed in Beast of the East.
“I was placed 10th overall in the 93kg weight class as a sub-junior, with a squat of 152.5kg, bench of 90kg and deadlift of 140kg.
“My final competition for 2021 was a local bench competition, and I managed a 90kg bench.”
In 2022, Blom was placed second at the Gauteng championships with a squat of 160kg, a 100kg bench and 167.5kg deadlift.
Blom participated in several fun competitions, including Gauteng Bench and Double Deadlift.
Blom also obtained a second place at SA Powerlifting Championships with a 172.5kg squat and deadlift, and a 102.5kg bench.
“This would be my first taste of international competitions because I equalled with the qualifying total of 447.5kg.
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“Between the IPF worlds and the SA Powerlifting Championship, I suffered a minor shoulder injury, but I still placed 12th overall in the world with a 185kg squat, 95kg bench and 180kg deadlift,” added Blom.
Last year, Blom got his first taste of winning when he took first place at the Gauteng Championships with a 200kg squat and deadlift, and 110kg bench.
Blom also took first place at the SA Powerlifting Championships, with a 202.5kg squat, 107.5kg bench and 205kg deadlift.
“After that, I competed in another local competition at Barbell Bullies in Sandton.
“I placed third in the open division’s 93kg weight class with a 210kg squat, 112.5kg bench, and 212.5kg deadlift.
More recently, Blom competed in two Gauteng championship events.
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In the classic event, he placed second with a 195kg squat, 117.5kg bench and 200kg deadlift.
“While training, I endured a crucial soft tissue injury in my ribs,” he said.
Blom created a BackaBuddy campaign to help him with travelling costs, coaching fees, nutrition and the needed equipment.
Residents can visit www.backabuddy.co.za and search for JP Blom to donate.
