Wānaka resident Romy Guichard has returned from the IPF Sub-Junior and Junior Powerlifting Championships in Costa Rica with new achievements but she is already looking ahead to the next competition.

She achieved 182.5kg on the squat, 107.5kg in the bench, and 217.5kg in the deadlift, earning her a fifth place overall finish and first place overall among New Zealand girls.

Romy’s bench weight was both a personal best and a national record and her deadlift weight was again a personal best and national record, as well as Oceania and Commonwealth records.

Romy said she had a great time competing in Costa Rica.

“The entire powerlifting community is so welcoming and supportive,” she told the Wānaka App. 

“I made friends with other athletes from all over the world, especially girls in my class.

“When we are on the platform we are all head to head and in our own wee world. But as soon as we step off the platform we are able to put the sport aside and be mates which is something I love about powerlifting.”

Romy’s latest achievements follow a string of top results, most recently at the New Zealand Powerlifting Federation Nationals in May where she secured multiple national records as well as the overall title for her class.

Read more: Powerlifter victorious

Her results are even more impressive given she only took up powerlifting a few years ago.

Romy will be competing again in less than two months at the Oceania Championships in Sydney. 

Her overall goal is to become the number one New Zealand female junior powerlifter of all time.

“It is a pretty big goal to have as I still have two years as a junior but would love to achieve it at this next competition,” she said.

PHOTO: Supplied