Con Amore School teacher wins at Powerlifting Congress

Johan Steenkamp has made a name for himself in the world of powerlifting.

The woodwork teacher from Con Amore School recently took first place at the World Powerlifting Congress (WPC) in the masters three 100kg category division and was named best overall master lifter.

The event was held in Durban at the Omono Hotel, where Steenkamp achieved an impressive 260kg squat, 145kg bench, and 275kg deadlift.

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Steenkamp said it had been three years since he was on the platform because of his shoulder surgery, and it felt good to be back.

“I feel my hard work and dedication paid off. What you put in is what you get out,” he said.

Pieter de Waal introduced Steenkamp to the sport of powerlifting in 2004.

“I began by lifting equipped special suits at the International Powerlifting Federation (IPF). IPF-equipped lifters wear a squat suit, knee wraps, a bench shirt, and a deadlift suit.

“These four items separate equipped lifters from raw lifters under the IPF. I competed in New Zealand in 2007 and placed fourth overall at the Commonwealth Games,” he added.

He said SA hosted the World IPF in 2008 in Potchefstroom, where he received his national colours as a coach.

“In about 2014, we went over to Rhino Powerlifting Club in Pretoria. Here, I achieved quite a few records. In 2018, I decided to carry on powerlifting at the WPC, where I found my home.

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“I have been in powerlifting for 20 years and love the sport. At the WPC, I also accomplished many national and world records.

“In June 2019, I competed at the SA WPC Powerlifting Nationals in the 90kg division as a master two. There, I won the overall masters division and the master two for the under 90kg division for my category.”

Steenkamp broke nine SA records and five world records, with lifts of squat 285kg, bench 160kg, deadlift 285kg, and a total of 730kg.

He said his squat and deadlift records have yet to be broken.

In 2019, he competed in Lathi in Finland for the 36th WPC championships.

Due to excessive cramping, he only managed to squat 240kg, bench 160kg, deadlift 286kg, and a total of 686kg.
Steenkamp won the M2 category division 100 and broke the deadlift record.

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“In 2020, there was no sports participation due to Covid.”

In 2021, he won the WPC nationals and set a new squat world record of 275kg.

“In 2022, I tore the supraspinatus muscle in my right shoulder in a training session and could not train for 12 months,” he said.

Steenkamp said he started training again last July, battling without a training partner and also dealing with a small tear in his left shoulder.

“My training only started coming together 13 weeks ago with my youngest son becoming my training partner.

“In 2001, I was diagnosed with an enlarged blood vessel on the brain and was told by a neurologist I would never lift weights again or train in a way that would cause pressure in the brain.

“After treatment and recovery, I had a serious discussion with my oncologist at the time, and she advised me to live my life and encouraged me to go back to the gym,” said Steenkamp.

Steenkamp said powerlifting has given him a positive outlook on life and taught him patience.
“It has also taught me to have patience with my learners.”

Steenkamp said De Waal is his favourite powerlifter.

“De Waal is my former coach and mentor, and he has taught me everything I know as well as never to give up following your goals,” added Steenkamp.

Steenkamp said as a teacher who deals with special needs learners, he has learnt how to handle difficult situations and be resilient because powerlifting taught him to be mentally tough.

“Powerlifting is a great sport. It needs to be developed, and I will recommend it to anybody any day.

“Powerlifting keeps you mentally and physically strong and develops endurance and discipline. My belief is to be stronger than the rest but always humble.”

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Steenkamp said he will continue training and competing as he has been doing for the last 20 years, and his next goal is to compete at the 2025 World Championships.

“WPC South Africa is hosting the World Powerlifting Congress – World Championships in Durban, and I want to participate,” said Steenkamp.