The Wānaka App

Wānaka powerlifter breaks Commonwealth records

The Wānaka App

Maddy Harker

23 September 2024, 5:00 PM

Wānaka powerlifter breaks Commonwealth recordsRomy competing at the World Classic & Equipped Sub-Junior & Junior Powerlifting Championships.

Nineteen-year-old Wānaka powerlifter Romy Guichard has broken three national records, three Commonwealth records and finished in sixth place after competing at the junior world champs.


Romy travelled to Malta for the World Classic & Equipped Sub-Junior & Junior Powerlifting Championships earlier this month, which she had qualified for after just two competitions.



Her top lifts were 175kg (squats), 97.5kg (bench), and 207.5kg (deadlift). 


Romy training in Wānaka in August.


While she is “stoked” with her results, Romy told the Wānaka App they were “exactly what I was expecting out of the competition”.


Romy learned “a lot” at her first international competition and said she plans to give herself more preparation time in the future.



As well as more national competitions, she is aiming to attend the Junior World Championships again next year.


“Being 19 in the under 23 class I still have three years to climb up the ranks so I look forward to what next season brings,” she said.


Romy has been powerlifting for around four years but did not compete in the sport until last November.



She told the Wānaka App she wasn’t “at all” sporty before discovering powerlifting.


Now she manages Snap Fitness when she’s not training and says just about “everything” in her life is about the gym and powerlifting.


Romy is spending some time overseas before she returns to New Zealand.


PHOTO: Supplied