She might be only 18 years old, but Ané Jansen van Rensburg is on a mission. Her aim is to compete in powerlifting on an international level.

Ané is in Grade 12 and is head girl of Curro Nelspruit.

An all-round sportswoman, Ané picked up an ACL injury on the hockey field three years ago that needed surgery. Her doctor suggested leg training in the gym as part of her rehabilitation.

“Two years later I competed in my first powerlifting competition and qualified for the national championships in which I set three records.”

At the Powerlifting Nationals on August 6, only her third competition, she set four records in the 67.5kg category.

Ané squatted 135kg, with the previous record 90kg. She bench pressed 67.5kg; the record broken was 40kg. Her deadlift was 137.5kg, breaking the previous record by 32.5kg. Her total weight lifted was 340kg, with the previous record at 230kg.

Ané has a natural talent for powerlifting.

She is self-trained, learning about the finer points of the sport as she goes along. She works out at Re-Boot at Westend.

“I know my body, so I listen to my body. I realise my weaknesses and work on them. I am in the gym for
90 minutes to two hours, six times a week.”

She wants to compete against the best in the world.

“I would love to compete internationally and set records at each competition. I want to get to a level where I set world records. I believe it is possible for me to achieve.”

Ané has been welcomed by her fellow powerlifters.

“The competitive powerlifting community is awesome. We help one another. It is not a ‘me sport’. It is a positive environment. Competitors give one another advice and support one another.”

She has an extremely busy schedule.

“I balance my training with schoolwork and my responsibilities as head girl. It is very challenging, but I would not want it any other way. It helps me realise that time waits for no one. I put my school and academics first. As head girl I need to be the best leader I can be,” she said.

She is also involved in various school sports.

“I do a lot of sports at the same time because I love it. I only have limited time to participate before I am done with school.”
She has strong support from a strong woman.

“My mother (Debbie Hendriks) is my number- one supporter. We have travelled many kilometres for me to compete in sport. She has my back, no matter what. I cannot ask for anything more. She tells me she does always not know what I am doing, but she knows I know what I am doing. I am very blessed and grateful to have her as my mom.”

Ané concluded, “Powerlifting for me is not about how much I can lift, it is about how much I can lift in the best form. An injury can happen in a second so I focus on my form.”

This budding star is also a talented hockey, cricket and netball player, and a top field athlete. But powerlifting is her passion and will be one to watch in the future.