More women embrace powerlifting
Plans to incorporate more women in weightlifting and powerlifting nationwide are gaining momentum.
Namibian Powerlifting and Weightlifting Federation president Marius Johannes says women are more disciplined and focused in training and much more ambitious than their male counterparts, when it comes to the sport.
In an interview with Namibian Sun he emphasised that powerlifting is no longer just for men, and more women are realising that becoming a better, stronger, more powerful and confident person is not just a male endeavour. According to him the number of female powerlifters have doubled worldwide since 2015 and this includes only those women who compete in the sport, and not the women who train without announcing that they are powerlifters.
Johannes said most females are interested in CrossFit events.
“This might be due to the effect of the group setting.”
Johannes said further they will continue to grow the number of females participating in the sport, as they have been doing since 2016 and that there is a high possibility that they will earn medals and recognition this year.
“In order to achieve that, an event such as the Arnold Sport Festival in Johannesburg in which five to six athletes will potentially enter will be the focus,” Johannes said.
He added that the federation will focus on the African Championship in October and finally the Beast War powerlifting competition, in order to end the year on a good note.
The first Beast War competition was held at the Tsumeb health and fitness centre and the second at Windhoek CrossFit Plus264. This year the federation has to again look for a gym to host the event.
“I'm still brainstorming on ways to make it interesting. In-between there is the Dead Lift competition in April arranged by MaxQ supplements for athletes to look forward to,” Johannes added.
In addition, Johannes said the world champs would have been an event to tick off on his calendar, but Namibia is not allowed to enter.
“Our numbers make us competitive but do not put us in a winning position,” he explained.
Johannes added that the federation recently became a member of the Namibia Olympic Commission, with the hope of attaining a centralised anti-doping and testing training centre.
“It's just good governance and I see umbrella bodies taking the lead.
“I did kit test training, but it's very limited. We need a lot of assistance to actually get someone trained and also work on getting a referee certified for international events,” Johannes said.
He added that motivating athletes is very difficult and that competitors are all at different levels of development.
“Train smart, stay away from steroids. Injury-free lifting is the best lifting; do not do ego lifts without back-up.
“The quality of lift is above the amount of lift first. Get a coach if you can; if not, a good training partner. If you train alone, have online company. Grow on-the-go and eat healthy,” Johannes advised athletes.
If you are interested in joining, don't hesitate to call Johannes at 081 822 9437 or email [email protected]
LIMBA MUPETAMI
Namibian Powerlifting and Weightlifting Federation president Marius Johannes says women are more disciplined and focused in training and much more ambitious than their male counterparts, when it comes to the sport.
In an interview with Namibian Sun he emphasised that powerlifting is no longer just for men, and more women are realising that becoming a better, stronger, more powerful and confident person is not just a male endeavour. According to him the number of female powerlifters have doubled worldwide since 2015 and this includes only those women who compete in the sport, and not the women who train without announcing that they are powerlifters.
Johannes said most females are interested in CrossFit events.
“This might be due to the effect of the group setting.”
Johannes said further they will continue to grow the number of females participating in the sport, as they have been doing since 2016 and that there is a high possibility that they will earn medals and recognition this year.
“In order to achieve that, an event such as the Arnold Sport Festival in Johannesburg in which five to six athletes will potentially enter will be the focus,” Johannes said.
He added that the federation will focus on the African Championship in October and finally the Beast War powerlifting competition, in order to end the year on a good note.
The first Beast War competition was held at the Tsumeb health and fitness centre and the second at Windhoek CrossFit Plus264. This year the federation has to again look for a gym to host the event.
“I'm still brainstorming on ways to make it interesting. In-between there is the Dead Lift competition in April arranged by MaxQ supplements for athletes to look forward to,” Johannes added.
In addition, Johannes said the world champs would have been an event to tick off on his calendar, but Namibia is not allowed to enter.
“Our numbers make us competitive but do not put us in a winning position,” he explained.
Johannes added that the federation recently became a member of the Namibia Olympic Commission, with the hope of attaining a centralised anti-doping and testing training centre.
“It's just good governance and I see umbrella bodies taking the lead.
“I did kit test training, but it's very limited. We need a lot of assistance to actually get someone trained and also work on getting a referee certified for international events,” Johannes said.
He added that motivating athletes is very difficult and that competitors are all at different levels of development.
“Train smart, stay away from steroids. Injury-free lifting is the best lifting; do not do ego lifts without back-up.
“The quality of lift is above the amount of lift first. Get a coach if you can; if not, a good training partner. If you train alone, have online company. Grow on-the-go and eat healthy,” Johannes advised athletes.
If you are interested in joining, don't hesitate to call Johannes at 081 822 9437 or email [email protected]
LIMBA MUPETAMI
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