Power Angels set national records

Story by: JONATHAN MCKEOWN - Nelson Mail - Photo by: PowerAngles

The Power Angels - Nelson's powerlifting trinity - touched down in Dunedin over the weekend to attend the national powerlifting championships.

The three Nelson athletes were up against tough competition in their respective weight classes but blitzed their rivals, all lifting personal bests, retaining their national titles and setting New Zealand records in the process.

Held at the Edgar Sports Complex in Dunedin, the 2012 meet was the biggest national powerlifting competition to date, hosting close to 100 lifters. The three-day event consisted of three disciplines - the squat, the bench press and the deadlift - with competitors' placing based on the highest combined total of weight lifted.

The Power Angels - Aimee Banks of Stoke, Chris Webber of Hope and Celia McMillan of Annesbrook - represented the Central Districts region and, with the Nelson women on their side, CD took the prestigious trophy of the strongest women's team.

National champion Banks set two New Zealand records in the squat and deadlift, and placed first in the 63-kilogram open weight category. Webber set a New Zealand bench press record and placed first in the 57kg masters 1 weight category. McMillan set New Zealand records in all three lifts, placed first in the 52kg open weight category and took strongest open woman and strongest overall woman lifter.

McMillan, who has been competing on and off for nine years, thanked her coach and team-mates.

"It was a great result. I'm really rapt and grateful for all the experience and knowledge given by fellow lifter, coach and brother Craig McMillan, who coaches the Power Angels from Wellington."

Committed to promoting this sport in the Nelson area, the Power Angels have held three competitions at Evolve Gym to introduce lifters to the sport. These have been highly successful with new lifters entering regional competitions in Wellington.

Banks said she was particularly proud of new lifter Lyndelle Neho for competing at her first nationals in Dunedin, placing second in the 72kg open weight category.

Up next for the Power Angels is the Bledisbro Powerlifting Competition in Wellington where they will compete alongside six other Nelson women who they introduced to the sport and coach.

Webber said the Angels are excited about competing in the Powerlifting Commonwealth Games in Auckland next year, where they have the opportunity to set Commonwealth records.

If anyone is interested or has any questions about the sport please contact the Power Angels at evolvefitness-solutions@hotmail.

com or see the Power Angels' Facebook page.

The Power Angels, who train at Stoke's Evolve Gym, the home of Nelson powerlifting, and Fitness Zone in Richmond would like to thank their sponsors, the Richmond Mall, Health 2000, Accessman and Powerhouse Supplements.

Results:

Aimee Banks: Squat 152.5 bench 77.5 deadlift 146 total 376.

Celia McMillan: Squat 132.5, bench 92.5 deadlift 140 total 365.5.

Chris Webber: Squat 120, bench 82.5, deadlift 132.5 total 335.