Mark Esch takes the World Powerlifting Championship title back home

Alberton’s Mark Esch recently competed in the World Powerlifting Championships held in Manchester, United Kingdom.

The competition was hosted by the World Powerlifting Congress and saw over 50 different countries attending the event.

In the strength sport of powerlifting, competitors try three lifts in the squat, bench press and deadlift. The athlete attempts to achieve a maximum weight single-lift effort using a barbell loaded with weight plates, just like in the sport of Olympic weightlifting.

Mark lifted in the 125kg men’s masters division and was crowned world champion.

Mark said that although he’s won the title, he would not have done it if it was not for his coach, wife, children and all South African powerlifters.

“Thank you to everyone who has been supportive from day one and ensured that I get the training that I needed to win. Hard work and perseverance always pay off,” said Mark.

Pitbull Gym founder and Mark’s coach, Colin Bruyn, said that Mark overcame many injuries and challenges to reach the top.

“Every individual has a tremendous amount of power inside them that they must release. Sometimes they just need a little nudge, support, direction, coaching and the greatest things can happen,” said Colin.

For more information about powerlifting, contact Colin on 073 541 5916.

Quick facts:

A sport known as odd lifts gave rise to powerlifting. It was based on the same three-attempt pattern but featured a wider range of events, similar to strongman competition. Odd lifts eventually standardised at the present three.

Lifts can be executed both equipped and unequipped during the competition (known in the IPF as “classic” or “raw” lifting, respectively).

A supporting bench shirt, squat/deadlift suit, or briefs are referred to as equipment in this context.