Local powerlifter sets new record at World Powerlifting Congress

Local powerlifter Warren Brits set a new record in the U100 90.1 to 100kg deadlift, deadlifting 302.5kg during the World Powerlifting Congress (WPC) SA Beast Mode Power Wars on June 8 at the Old Bens Sports Complex.

Brits surpassed his world record of 301kg by 1.5kg he achieved at the WPC World Championships last November in Manchester, where he won the WPC World title in his weight and age division.

He competed in the Masters Three 50 to 54 category at the Power Wars and had already successfully bench-pressed 135kg and recorded 190kg in the squat for a combined total of 627.5kg.

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Brits, who is Old Bens Sports Club president, explained he was chuffed with the achievement, adding it was a little unexpected as the day hadn’t gone according to plan.

“I pulled something in my quad on my second attempt and wasn’t sure I’d get to the third. I have mixed emotions. But I’m relieved I was able to even attempt it,” he said.

A gym bunny, Brits didn’t discover his passion for powerlifting until last year during a ‘personal best week’ at the gym.

“I started in January last year. I had been going to the gym for six years before that. Powerlifting is something I found out I was good at by accident,” said Brits.

“I was messing around in the gym, doing a PB week and somebody told me I was lifting close to the records. He then asked why I wasn’t trying it. I did and have fallen in love with the sport.”

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The competition, which was attended by top powerlifter Nicolaas du Preez and visually-impaired powerlifter Laylaa-Shiyaam Jacobs, saw SA’s best powerlifters put on performances of their lives in an attempt to qualify for the WPC national championships in Durban in August.

Brits has already qualified for the nationals. He said the event was a practise competition for him and would be taking a break for a few weeks before amping up his preparations.

SA’s pound-for-pound strongest athlete Colton Engelbrecht went 1 120kg for the biggest wrapped male DOTS and set the new all-time 110kg total, breaking Russian powerlifter Yury Belkins’ record by 50kg.

The 23-year-old left the spectators and fellow competitors in awe when he bench-pressed 245kg, deadlifted 435kg and achieved 440kg in the squat.

“Everybody is giving it their best. That’s the most important part. Everyone is striving for their personal milestones and to improve. That’s what powerlifting is all about, to keep improving,” he said.

The WPC nationals will be held at the Durban University of Technology’s Ritson Hall from August 8 to 10.