Man, 61, lifts 662,5kg in total
Randfontein strongman lifts more than half a ton in three events totaling 662,5kg.
If it is really true that age is nothing but a number, then Pat Botha depicts the old saying precisely.
He has a four-decade career in power-lifting behind him, during which he proved to the world that he could push power beyond its limits. It is evident that even at the age of 61 years, Pat’s strength surpasses that of his peers in the game by far.
Since he started training in August 1976, his strength has spoken volumes, without him having to say a word out loud.
Botha said he first tested his strength in November 1977.
“It was called Transvaal Power Lifting Championships back in those years. I combined body-building and power-lifting at the time. I also competed in the U/21 South African Athletic Championships, where I took part in the hammer throw event. In addition, I competed in the South African Body Building Championships that year, as well as in the Towels My Towel contest in Middelburg.
“I was also weightlifting at provincial level at the Transvaal Power Lifting Championships,” Botha said. These are just some of the challenges that Botha took part in, and conquered.
On 16 June this year, Botha reclaimed his title when he took part in the South African National Powerlifting Championships held at the Core Fitness Centre in Pretoria.
“I won my 125kg division in the Masters 5 category with four new South African records in the Squat 280kg, Bench Press 130kg and Deadlift 252,5kg, making up a total lift of 662,5kg. Three of my four records are new Masters 5 125kg division World Records,” Botha added.
He said making a comeback to this level, 11 years after his last National meet in 2007, has shaken up several of the younger generation’s power-lifters, as lifting this much weight at 60 years of age is rare.
He said he has only applied one principle to all his feats – training, and training hard. He acknowledged, however, that as a child he had always wanted to be a big boy.
“I am blessed to still have my original body joints – power-lifters often end up having to undergo joint replacement surgery,” Botha said.
Botha said even though he has been selected for the power-lifting team which is going to compete in the Weight Powerlifting Championships in the USA, he has decided not to participate. Considering the recent Pretoria event and the amount of strain he put on his body, he needs to take time to recover.
“As long as I am fortunate and God blesses me with good health like I have now, I will carry on with the sport because it has been very good to me,” Botha added.
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