LA Lucia’s Megan Stringer powered her way to the national title at the recent SA Powerlifting Championships in Potchefstroom.
The 18-year-old, who competes in the U57kg, sub-junior category also broke a national record in the squat at the champs.
Powerlifting is a strength-based sport that consists of three barbell lifts: squat, bench press and the deadlift, and the heaviest lifts of each discipline are added to the total competitor’s tally (from three attempts in each discipline).
Incredibly, the Our Lady of Fatima Grade 12 learner’s highest weight totals were 115kg in the deadlift, 57.5kg in the bench press and 115kg in the squat, giving her a grand total of 287.5kg.
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“I was really pleased with my performances at the championships. Going to Potchefstroom, one of my goals was to break the squat record, which I did, and I also wanted to beat my personal bests but that didn’t happen, sadly. It has, however, given me future goals and the confidence to lift heavier,” she explained.
“At school, everyone had their sports, be it hockey or swimming or netball, and when I discovered powerlifting, I truly found the thing I was passionate about. I never had a sport I loved so much, and it has given me so much joy since I started just over two years ago. I started working out during lockdown and really enjoyed weightlifting. That is when I met my coach, Chris Dranias, who has helped me get stronger. My first coach, Blake Lourens also played an instrumental role in me getting into the competition,” she said.
Megan’s workout regime consists of training five to six days a week at Virgin Active La Lucia on a mainly plant-based diet.
She added that her success in the sport would not have been possible without her parents.
“They have been the ones pushing me and believing in me. I know for certain I wouldn’t be anywhere without them. When I first started working out, my dad showed me how to use all the machines, and my mom has really helped me prepare mentally for competitions,” she said.
Megan’s performances have seen her being invited to represent South Africa at the Asia Africa Powerlifting Champs, the World Champs in Romania and the All Africa Champs in Algeria, however, all of the competitions coincide with exams and winter school.
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