Young powerlifter sets bar high for World Stage
From newcomer to champion: The young powerlifter who is lifting his way to the top.
Grade 12 learner Szethyn Fulop from Trinityhouse Little Falls proved his capabilities by dominating the South African Powerlifting Federation Bench Press Championships in Edenvale recently.
Powerlifting is a competitive strength sport that consists of three attempts at maximal weight on three lifts: Squat, bench press and deadlift. After only starting his powerlifting journey in 2023, he then went on and competed in the Powerlifting World Championships, where he placed 22nd out of 30 athletes, and the Commonwealth Games in 2024, where he placed fifth out of eight competitors representing their countries.
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Speaking to the Roodepoort Northsider, Szethyn explained that he watched his brother exercise and lift weights, which motivated him to join him and later develop a love for lifting as a sport.
“I joined a lifting club called Barbell Bullies, where I did most of my training, but as time went on, my school schedule changed, so my parents decided to get me a personal trainer to train independently at our home gym.
“He would regularly send me my weekly schedule and do check-ups on my progress. Most people thought it was a bad idea, but it taught me the importance of discipline.
“Competing against other athletes from around the world was both exciting and frightening because I felt so much smaller compared to the other 18-year-olds. My goal for the upcoming World Championships next year is to place in the top 10,” he said.
Szethyn’s next goal is to compete among 12 of the best lifters in the world at the International Powerlifting Federation’s Sheffield Powerlifting Championships.
