Powerlifting – a photo story

Photo story by M. Chandran, Gabriel Tang and Ng Bing Wen

National Strength Sports Classic – Powerlifting

Darren Solomon Low Jun Ket was outstanding in all three powerlifting events with an accumulation of 645kg. His best squat lift at 225kg, bench-press at 170kg and deadlift at 250kg, easily lifted him to gold in the Under-120kg category. (Photo 1 © M. Chandran/Red Sports)

Toa Payoh Sports Hall, Saturday and Sunday, Jul 6-7, 2013 – We managed to get down to watch the powerlifting segment of the 2013 National Strength Sports Classic. Apart from powerlifting, the event also saw lifters take part in Olympic weightlifting and kettlebell.

Powerlifting is a competitive lifting sport involving maximal performance of three competition lifts – squat, bench press, and deadlift. Judges strictly enforce standardization of technique across the various lifts. Judges ensure that the lifter has paused for a sufficient length of time for the bench press and that the athlete also meets a sufficient depth for the squat.

Here’s a photo story of the powerlifting competition.

Lewis Chua in his second squat attempt at 245kg. His desire to finish at the top cost him in the bench press. He won the silver in the U-120kg category with a combined total of 565kg (squats – 245kg; bench press – 80kg, deadlifts – 240kg). (Photo 2 © M. Chandran/Red Sports)

Tay Jia Jun attempting the squat. Lifting a total of 562kg in the three events won him the bronze in the U-120kg category. (Photo 3 © M. Chandran/Red Sports)

Irving Scott Henson doing a true test of body strength. His best squat at 190kg, a best of 160kg in the bench, and deadlift at 220kg for a 570kg total, gave him a gold in the U-105kg category. (Photo 4 © M. Chandran/Red Sports)