Congratulations to Lower Sixth student Adeel Imtiazi who is the International Powerlifting Federation’s World Bench Press Champion in his category.
Adeel participated in the IPF World Bench Press Championships in Austin, Texas, on 22 May, competing in the Sub-Junior U53kg category. He pressed an impressive 92.5kg and was crowned World Bench Press Champion! Athletes came from all over the world to compete in the championships, and the whole experience was unforgettable for Adeel.
Here he tells us all about it:
“Over the weeks before the competition, the nerves rapidly started to set in – I wasn’t hitting the numbers I wanted to in training. It was also going to be my first time on an international stage, so I didn’t know what to expect.
“But when I got there, I was actually quite comfortable in the environment. The Head Coach went through the game plan, I made friends with the other competitors, and the people in Texas were really friendly! When I was at the venue, everything went according to plan, so I was composed, but towards the end, it ended up being a very tense, close contest. Alhumdulillah (praise be to God), I ended up securing the Gold.
“After every competition I always get a brief sense of relief, but then remember that there’s always more to accomplish. Looking into the future, I know I can break some more British records and I hope to, one day, break a World Record or become a World Champion in another sport as well!”
Despite powerlifting for less than 12 months, Adeel from Trinity School, Croydon, broke a British U18 bench press record for his category earlier this year with a press of 86kg when his PR was 90kg, improving on that already. Adeel trains in the school Strength and Conditioning Suite and is one of a few students competing on the international stage for powerlifting. Well done!
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