Incredible focus drips from South African powerlifting champion Nicolaas du Preez as he prepares to engage beast mode.

In the background, death metal blasts from the speakers while this bespectacled and pierced specimen lies down to effortlessly bench press a 225 kg weight as part of his training regimen. Du Preez is the first South African to conquer the 1000 kg total benchmark in the Raw with wraps division.

See the video of Nicolaas du Preez here

His current best gym lifts include a 260 kg benchpress, 430 kg squat and 412.5 kg deadlift. He has also won every national competition he has competed in.

From the outside, this Potchefstroom local is a chiselled mass of muscle, but on the inside, he is a calculating, determined and cerebral athlete who breaks down all powerlifting stereotypes.

“There is a lot of misconception and bias around powerlifting, especially the dangers involved with such a barbaric sport. Strength training can be one of the best tools to prevent ‘ageing’ and living a healthy, functional life. You can get far, especially if you implement a scientific approach to your training. And that is exactly what I’m doing,” added Du Preez.

Du Preez decided to take up powerlifting full time a few years ago, while also coaching and training athletes as a trainer. He is currently busy with powerlifting training at Kleinplaas Sports Village at CrossFit Ground Zero.

Du Preez grew up in Zeerust in the North West before moving to George, when he went to school at Hoër Landbouskool Oakdale and Hoërskool Outeniqua. His studies at the NWU started in 2013, and he can proudly hold up his master’s degree in Zoology.

“Beside being active and doing all kinds of sports, I’ve always had a keen interest in biology and the sciences behind it,” explains Du Preez. He started doing powerlifting in 2018 and has been going from strength to strength for the past six years. He also competed internationally (Ireland) in August 2023 and aims to compete again this year.

“I am currently training to compete against many top nations. Training for a competition consists of trying to get stronger, while keeping injury free at the same time. South Africa has had numerous top world-class powerlifters, but the sport does not get enough traction in marketing and value as opposed to other popular sports,” states this 1.81 m monster of a man.

Du Preez was ranked fifth globally in the 125 kg category, but he has now set his sights on competing in the 140 kg category, where he is also ranked among the top ten internationally.

When he is not powerlifting, this metal music lover likes reading, building computers and spending time doing sporting activities outdoors.

Every inch of his well-trained physique is down to patience, hard work and discipline – not only with how he trains, but also what he consumes.

“At first, my process was trial and error. During this, I’ve got to know my body as close to 100 per cent as possible. In other words, how far I can push myself,” he states.

There is more than pure muscle behind the staggering strength and determination – a love for the sport is what keeps him going.

“I don’t need motivation. To me, powerlifting is a combination of discipline, routine and passion.”