Whitsunday Weightlifting Club coach Leanne Knox contested the Australian Open at the Cougars Weightlifting Club in Brisbane on December 12-13, placing third overall in the 69kg open division.
Throughout the two-day competition, Leanne recorded three Personal Best lifts, including a 72kg snatch and a 93kg clean and jerk for a total of 165kg.
This effort broke the 40-44 year old 69kg Queensland and Australian records, which previously stood at 69kg snatch, 90kg clean and jerk and 157kg total and also belonged to Leanne.
Leanne’s 93kg clean and jerk was also an unofficial world record, with the standing mark resting at 92kg.
However, to be recognised as an official world record, the participant has to be competing at a world or oceanic event, unluckily for Leanne.
Although she can’t yet claim to be a world record holder, Leanne said she had found the balance between composure and determination when it came to competitive lifting.
“Because it was the last competition of the year I didn’t feel much pressure,” she explained.
“I just wanted to do my best and I think that’s why I did well.”
A peaceful state of mind was critical for Leanne, who took great pride in bettering her own national and state landmarks.
“It’s good to break one record but when you keep increasing on that record, especially if a record stood for seven years, then you break it several times in 12 months, that’s pretty good,” she said.
“I was more excited about breaking the (unofficial) world record but you have to be at a world event to break a world record.
“It was a thrill to finish off the year on a good note and hopefully it keeps me motivated to train really hard throughout the Christmas period.”
Courtesy of: Daily Mercury