TKSWR learner placed first in SA powerlifting competition
While new world records were set at the competition, Matthew was second to none in his age group and achieved exactly what was expected of him.
The King’s School West Rand (TKSWR) learner Matthew Germanus placed first in the U/16 110kg category of the recent World Powerlifting Congress (WPC) South African National Championships 2021 held in Pretoria.
Matthew proved that South Africa has world-class athletes, especially in powerlifting as more than 100 athletes competed to determine who the best is.
While new world records were set at the competition, Matthew was second to none in his age group and achieved exactly what was expected of him.
“What a life-changing experience – meeting new friends, challenging yourself to your limits, and honouring God for our talents. Winning certainly felt like hard work paying off,” said Matthew.
The Grade 10 learner revealed to the Northsider that he will be deadlifting 300kg which would make him the second youngest man in history after the 17-year-old Armenian weightlifter Hakob Mkrtchyan did the heaviest deadlift of 319kg at the 2014 Youth Olympic Games in Nanjing, China.
Matthew trains for two to three hours five times a week at Planet Fitness in Ruimsig, and displays a great sense of discipline and maturity for his tender age.
“This young man is making South Africa extremely proud with his attempts and what he is currently doing.
He is a name that we are going to look out for and keep an eye on, and we expect great things from him,” said Trish Armstrong from WPC – SA.
The WPC consists of 46 countries across the world and prescribes rules and regulations for members to comply with.
