Local couple qualify for world powerlifting champs
Lil Kimble broke eight world records at the competition has now set her sights on breaking the records at the world champs in September.
WHILE some see powerlifting as a strength based sport, there are those that would argue the sport is more mental than physical. This is true uMhlanga couple, Lil and Scott Kimble who recently qualified for the qualified for GPC World Powerlifting Champs in Trutnov, Czech Republic. The duo, who own and represent Off The Grid (OTG) strength and conditioning facility were two of seven athletes from OTG to make the Rhino Powerlifting Club (RPC) team. In the sport, athletes have three attempts in squat, bench press, and deadlift. Judges take the highest lift in each category and the combination of the three categories determines the results.
Incredibly, the athletes from OTG broke 12 world records as well as 14 national records at the RPC which hosted this year’s SA champs. Lil who broke eight world records at the competition has now set her sights on breaking the records at the world champs in September.
“Because I’m 33, I’m split into two divisions, there’s open and sub-master. In the open division I broke the world deadlift and total world record. As a sub-master, I broke the deadlift, bench press, squat and total world record in my division just to name a few. It was such an incredible competition because I reached every goal I set out to achieve, for the first time in my life. It was a great result I was struggling with a serious back injury and this competition was my comeback.-
“I think people don’t realise that in this sport, mental strength goes above and beyond physical strength. What made it even sweeter was seeing Scott and some of my clients make the team. Looking ahead to the world champs I want to go beyond and break more records,” she said.
Scott Kimble, who competes in the 90 kilogram division finished third, a feat he was stoked with considering he was nursing an injury before the competition.
“I went there to the SA champs to qualify for the world champs, that was the ultimate goal. I’m stoked to make the South African RPC team, it’s such an honour and having Lil with me is just awesome. There’s no words to describe someone who knows what it means to make the team especially with all the sacrifices, dedication and hard work you’ve put in. I must admit leading up to the champs I was nursing a few injuries and I couldn’t train as hard I could,” he said.
The duo said they were thrilled for their clients who also made the RPC team.
