GEORGE - Fifteen power lifters from George showed their mettle at the Eastern Province powerlifting trials hosted in Port Elizabeth to determine a team for participation at the SA Powerlifting Championships later this year.
The George team excelled with 12 first places, three second places and a third place in the various weight divisions. A separate bench press competition was simultaneously held with George lifters conquering nine first places on the podium.
Anita Barnard, JP Claasen, Wynand Barnard, Juan Fourie, Hanno Lourens, Stephen Stander, Christo Jordaan and Pieter Benade qualified for the SA championships in Bloemfontein during May with the sub-juniors Kyle Valentine and Anneke Jordaan's inclusion to be confirmed.

Several George lifters were honoured by the EP Powerlifting Board at a function afterwards for their performances in 2009.
Kyle Valentine won the C league, Heinrich Janse van Rensburg the B league and Christo Jordaan the A league with H Janse van Rensburg awarded the bench press champion trophy and Christo Jordaan the senior powerlifter trophy.
Powerlifting is growing fast amongst athletes in George with capable instructors available to guide lifters to fulfil their potential.
The EP Bench Press Championships will be held at the Wellness World Gym in Knysna Road on Saturday, 13 March at 10:00. Athletes interested in powerlifting are welcome to attend to learn about the sport.

Overall trial results
(Place, division, total, squat, bench press, deadlift): A Jordaan 1st, 67,5 S-J, 147,5, 50, 27,5, 70; Anita Barnard 1st, 82,5 M, 245, 70, 60, 115; Kyle Valentine 1st, 82,5 S-J, 380, 130, 90, 160; Ruan Botha 2nd, 75 J, 265, 80, 70, 115; JP Claasen 1st, 75 J, 400, 150, 80, 170; Wynand Barnard 1st, 82,5 J, 360, 110, 70, 180; Juan Fourie 1st, 90 J, 510, 160, 120, 230; Hanno Lourens 1st, 110 J, 475, 160, 105, 210; Stephen Stander 3rd S/1st M, 90 S/M, 482,5, 180, 107,5, 195; Johann Reinecke 2nd, 90 S, 505, 195, 110, 200; Heinrich Janse van Rensburg 1st, 90 S, 515, 160, 165, 190; Christo Jordaan 2nd S/1st M, S/M 100, 595, 230, 132,5, 232,5; Pieter Benade 1st, 100 S, 620, 240, 140, 240; Johan Nel 1st, 125 S, 570, 220, 110, 240; Michelle Botha 1st, 56 S, BP 37,5.


Johan Nel squats with 220 kg.