Mike Smith said the nationals was like watching the theatre with weights
Seventy New Zealand records and 18 world records were broken at Te Awamutu’s ASB Stadium during the Global Powerlifting Committee national championships.
Caci Karam (front), Sarah Guise (back from left), Sean Logan and Chara Reti were among the six Te Awamutu world record breakers. Photo: Supplied
The August event attracted 85 competitors.
Trainstation gym coach, event organiser and GPC New Zealand president Mike Smith said a third of the world records were set by Trainstation Te Awamutu members Sarah Guise, Caci Karam, Tracy Karam, Sean Logan, Chara Reti and himself.
Smith said Cyril Heywood from Blenheim and Logan are highly rated.
“Sean Logan hit the all-time biggest squat in New Zealand at 410kg. He already had it, so he evened it. So that’s out by about 30kg from anybody previously,” Smith said.
“He attempted the all-time dead lift record of 425. He missed that but he took a world record on his opener at 365 and cemented a 395.
“What Sean did, is something pretty special. In Te Awamutu, the biggest squat ever in New Zealand – and twice. He’s already got the biggest deadlift in New Zealand.”
Sean Logan’s 410kg all-time best squat. Photo: Supplied
Logan and Hayward will compete at the Australian invite only ProRaw powerlifting event in November.
“This was a stepping stone for them, kind of like a training day,” Smith said. “Sean was only in prep, so whatever he does in Australia, I would say will be significantly better still.”
The Karam family are becoming a force to be reckoned with.
All three Karam competitors now hold world records.
“Xavier didn’t get one this time, but he got one in 2023 and 2024. Caci has one and Tracey now has three,” Smith said.
“Tracey came and watched a meet 18 months ago, thought this looks fun. She dragged her family along and now they’re all setting world records.”
Competitors were there from all across the country. Photo: Supplied
Seven Waipā powerlifters were also selected for the New Zealand team to compete in Brazil at the GPC worlds in October.
Reti, Smith, Tracey and Xavier will represent Waipa on the world stage, as will Hamilton’s Cat and Jared Seeney who have close connections to Waipā.
Cambridge’s Ben Barrott and Elijah Morton-Jones also impressed.
Morton-Jones was second overall in the teens division.
“He beat guys that are 20-30kg heavier and set New Zealand records. Ben broke a New Zealand bench record. These kids are 16. Ben is 74kg and he benched 150kg.
Mike Smith said the nationals was like watching the theatre with weights. Photo: Supplied
