Train smart and have discipline in your lifestyle to progress in powerlifting
Powerlifting is a strength sport that consists of three attempts at maximal weight on three lifts: squat, bench press, and deadlift.
![Craig Masson lifts weights.](https://images.caxton.co.za/wp-content/uploads/sites/33/2023/05/IMG_0834_04525-e1683201972808-780x470.jpg)
It is not every day that the African Bench Press Championship record, which has stood for eleven years, is broken. Craig Masson now holds the African powerlifting record.
The 41-year-old is a legal executive for an engineering company and a powerlifter who has received Protea colours and has represented the country well in many powerlifting championships.
![Craig Masson exercises at his gym.](https://images.caxton.co.za/wp-content/uploads/sites/33/2023/05/IMG_0859_04562-e1683202067103-309x400.jpg)
Masson has always been into competitive sports, from school athletics and squash to playing top amateur-level soccer and receiving district colours in both boxing and cricket.
However, what he found exciting about powerlifting is interesting.
“Just like track and field athletes in powerlifting, we compete for numbers that are almost always directly proportionate to your effort, and a lack of discipline in powerlifting will directly impact your outcome on the platform.”
![A wheel roll exercise that targets his core.](https://images.caxton.co.za/wp-content/uploads/sites/33/2023/05/IMG_0874_04530-e1683202090852-520x338.jpg)
Masson states that he has represented South Africa in many championships, but what stood out was the three-lift powerlifting held in Sweden in 2021.
“This year I received my Protea Colours for the Bench Press team and went on to represent the country at the African Bench Press Championships, where I broke the African record, and will again represent South Africa at the World Championships this May.
![An arms exercise](https://images.caxton.co.za/wp-content/uploads/sites/33/2023/05/IMG_0878_04564-e1683202122851-275x400.jpg)
He says he looks up to his father and takes his effort and discipline as an example for him to continue trying to achieve better.
“The best support I get is from my family because without them helping me, I wouldn’t have made it, they kept up with me eating around 200 grammes of protein a day and went on to help me cut about 8 kg of weight in a couple of weeks to make weight for competition.”
![Craig Masson](https://images.caxton.co.za/wp-content/uploads/sites/33/2023/05/IMG_0894_05460-e1683202154652-312x400.jpg)
Related Article:
https://www.citizen.co.za/sandton-chronicle/329588/local-school-hosts-epic-sports-festival/
https://www.citizen.co.za/sandton-chronicle/322207/how-to-manage-your-gym-change-room-time-like-a-boss/