Powerlifting has seemed to come naturally for Osceola native and UW-Eau Claire senior Mariah Hamm.
“The first day, my coach was like ‘you’re going to be the next world athlete.’ and i was like ‘No way. No,'” Hamm admitted to WEAU 13 News on Friday.
But with each lift the amount of confidence continued to grow.
“The goals are very tangible,” Hamm said. “In softball, you can hit better. But, in powerlifting you can see the results by adding weight. That’s really satisfying.”
Hamm has been active in professional powerlifting for nine years now and last month, she was able to cash in on all of her hard work and determination. She competed in the International Powerlifting Federation’s World Sub-Junior & Junior Championships in Prague. While she competed, she wasn’t sure how she was faring – even after her final deadlift.
“I missed my final deadlift and I thought that I lost. I thought I lost it all,” Hamm confessed.
Instead, Hamm’s competition came down to her final try at the squat, which gave her a world championship in her weight class and the emotion is still tough for her to hold back.
“It’s been nine years of hard work,” Hamm said, choking back tears. “I started out at fifth. I didn’t go one year. But, then it was third, second and then first.
“Everyone was like ‘Finally!’ and they were so proud. They talk me up. I don’t mention powerlifting to anyone unless they ask. So, they’re always talking me up for myself. Everyone is really proud of me.”
Hamm hasn’t had much time to savor the win as she is back to working out at 3-D Fitness in downtown Eau Claire.
“The nice thing about powerlifting is that it’s an ageless sport. As long as I’m smart, I can do it until I’m 80.”
With that level of determination, there is hope for Hamm for many years to come.
Courtesy of: WEAU