Ploutis gives us an insight into the Championships and the preparation that goes into competing at this level…
“Saturday 15th August was a special day for me as I achieved something I’ve worked hard and sacrificed for. I broke a British record by deadlifting 194kg at a bodyweight off 60.55kg as a sub-junior (18 years old) at the All England Powerlifting Championships.
A powerlifting competition consists of three attempts of three separate lifts: the squat, the bench press and the deadlift. My first attempt at the deadlift was 175kg and it flew off the floor – easy. The referee shouted the “down” command and, after returning the bar to the floor, three white lights appeared to signify that it was a “good lift”. My next attempt of 185kg also went just as smoothly. With the help of my coach and my competitors’ totals in mind, I changed my third attempt of 190kg to 194kg at the last minute and I managed to lift it!
My training and diet have been paramount in reaching these numbers. However, even the best training programmes and the most thorough diet plan means nothing without the right attitude and the rock-solid devotion to becoming stronger; this is the philosophy I carry with me into training and everyday life. This means different things to different people. To some it may mean exercising to the point of throwing-up in order to complete what you set out to do, to others it may mean spending less time with friends and family in order to train.
The only other solid advice that applies to everyone with regard to training and diet is to log your training (this is the only way to objectively see whether or not you are reaching your goals) and to make sure you are eating real food and not food-like products.”
A huge congratulations and warm wishes to Ploutis Koumi. You are making the British-Cypriot community proud and we hope to see you break more records in the future!
If you are a young person involved with, or interested in, British powerlifting, please contact spudkoumi@hotmail.co.uk