World Class powerlifters in Palmerston North

Media Release

Tuesday, 1 April 2014

World Class powerlifters in Palmerston North

For the first time in well over a decade, Palmerston North is set to host the Central Districts Powerlifting Champs this weekend supported by Fitsupps, Fitwear and Industrial Athletic.

The event, to be held on Saturday at UCOL, promises to be a good one with 60 experienced lifters from around the Central Districts region registered to compete.

Central Districts Powerlifting Association Palmerston North Representative and UCOL Bachelor of Exercise and Sport Science Lecturer Hayden Pritchard says the competition will host some high calibre contestants.

“Several World Class lifters are registered, including a few international level female lifters, master lifters, and three lifters who will be heading on to the World Champs in South Africa in June.”

Hayden Pritchard himself is registered in the Open Men’s under 93-kg class, and is set to travel to the World Championships in June. He will be looking to unofficially break the Oceania Squat and Deadlift records on Saturday.

Also registered for the meet this weekend, and heading to the World Championships, are UCOL Bachelor of Exercise and Sport Science Graduate Jonathan Parsons (Junior Men’s under-120kg), and Brett Gibbs (Junior Men’s under-83kg), World Record holder for the Deadlift and Total.

Jonathan Parsons has the ability to unofficially break the Junior World Records for the Squat and Total this weekend. Brett Gibbs, currently New Zealand’s best lifter, will get the chance to unofficially extend his own records as well as break the Junior World Record for the Squat.

The event will run from 9am on Saturday in the UCOL Atrium, Corner of King and Princess Streets. Spectator entry is free.

ENDS

Notes to reporters:

Personal bests of the three contestants heading to the World Championships:
Brett Gibbs: 255kg Squat, 172.5kg Bench Press and 285kg Deadlift.
Jonathan Parsons: 285kg Squat, 180kg Bench Press and 320kg Deadlift.
Hayden Pritchard: 265kg Squat, 155kg Bench Press and 287.5kg Deadlift.

For more about New Zealand Powerlifting please visit http://www.sportsground.co.nz/nzpf/102780/4

For see here for more information on the UCOL Bachelor of Exercise and Sport Science, or visit www.ucol.ac.nz.

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