Gladstone powerlifter Taylah Robinson has set an equal Australian record in the deadlift division in the Iron Underground Rage against Steel event.
Robinson, lifted 195kg to equal Paige White’s previous record that she set just two weeks ago in Canada.
Initially it was thought that Robinson was a stand-alone record-breaker, but after some misunderstanding as to whether Robinson had indeed broken Paige’s record, it was revealed that the database was not updated.
“It was great and very happy I did what I set out to achieve,” Robinson said despite initial thoughts of her breaking the record.
Asked if she was nervous with such big expectations she set out on herself, Robinson said it was a case of shutting out the nerves.
“I had some small nerves, but I tried to take control of them and I think I did that,” she said.
Robinson celebrated with family and friends, but the focus will quickly shift back to the gym under coach Chris Thomas who owns Strong Fast Fit in Coffs Harbour in New South Wales and has coached others to medals in the same event.
“I’ll have a bit of off-time over Christmas and the New Year and then will get back into it with volume training which is the prep phase before the nationals in April or May and then the worlds.
Zoe Zapletal took out gold in her class 9/9; 127.5kg squat, 80kg bench, 170kg deadlift which is 377.5kg total.
Cale Rowston won silver in his class 8/9 where he lifted 245kg squat, 162.5kg bench and a massive 300kg deadlift to finish off the day and 707.5kg total.
Thomas said should the sport be considered for the 2020 Olympics, and then Robinson will be the first name to be on the Aussie list.
“She will definitely be in consideration and the way the playing field is, she is one of the best females and has huge potential,” Thomas said
“Taylah is still a junior and is still three years away from competing in the opens where the all-ages record is only 200kg.”
Thomas started coaching Taylah over three months ago and almost immediately that she has had natural talent in the sport.
“Our plan is to take her to the junior nationals and from there, go international for her to compete overseas,” Thomas said.
Meanwhile another Gladstone product, Sam Fowler, made his debut competing in Brisbane.
It has been an extremely successful weekend for two of Gladstone’s finest athletes in Robinson and Tia-Clair Toomey who has taken a step closer to Rio Olympic selection after her own weightlifting feats in a separate event in Brisbane yesterday.
RECORD ROBINSON
Gold in her class 8/9. 160kg squat, 80kg bench, 195kg deadlift to equal the junior Australian record. 435kg total (17.5kg pb).
Courtesy of: Gladstone Observer