Powerlift success

Powerlifter performs well in Texas

Caitlin Poxon. Photo: Supplied

Fifteen year old Caitlin Poxon had an experience to remember when she recently represented South Africa in the United States.

Caitlin was participating in the IPF World RAW Powerlifting Championships in Killeen, Texas. She excelled at the competition, going kilogram for kilogram against her international peers. She completed an 80, an 85 and a 90kg squat, a 40 and a 42,5kg bench press and a 105, a 115 and a 117,5kg deadlift. Although this only placed her seventh in the sub-juniors 63kg weight division, it did not diminish the valuable experience Caitlin gained.

This teenage girl only started her weightlifting career late last year, but she and her coach Mark Nel have already seen her hard work paying off. Earlier this year, at the IPF SA RAW Championships, Caitlin managed to attain a personal best (PB) lift in two of her three disciplines. With a PB total of 212,5kg lifted, she managed to complete a 72,5kg squat, a 42,5kg bench press and a 102,5kg deadlift, and subsequently won both the gold medal and the title of SA Champ in her weight division.

Caitlin has surpassed her goals for the year thanks to Mark’s coaching, and is hoping that his success, passion and determination for the sport will help her reach a new level. Mark, who is from RAW Fitness/ Crossfit 1111, has helped numerous powerlifters become world champion athletes.

“It is never difficult to get her to a training session no matter what time or day of the week,” said Mark.

Caitlin has remained humble despite her success, and continues her community service work, which includes helping at the Gateway Village every week.

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