Twenty-year-old Wānaka powerlifter Romy Guichard is heading into the New Zealand Powerlifting Federation Nationals with a clear plan - and equally clear goals.

The national and Commonwealth record holder will take the platform tomorrow morning (Saturday May 24) in Hamilton, competing in the under 23 age group and under 76 kilo weight class.

“My aim is to take the national title and break all three national records for squat, bench, and total in my category,” Romy told the Wānaka App.

“I’m also chasing a 500kg total, which is the combined weight of squat, bench press, and deadlift.”

But her biggest ambition of the weekend is to win best overall junior female lifter across all weight classes. 

The title is awarded based on GL points - a formula that compares lifters across different weight classes, making it especially competitive.

It’s an ambitious target - but Romy has a track record of setting and achieving goals. 

At last November’s World Championships in Malta, she broke three national records, three Commonwealth records, and finished sixth in the world.

She told the Wānaka App at the time that the results were “exactly what I was expecting”.

Romy’s results are even more remarkable given she only took up powerlifting at the end of 2022.

Since returning from Malta, Romy says she is more motivated than ever.

“Seeing the intensity and discipline of athletes on the world stage made me realise how important the little things are: recovery, nutrition, managing stress,” Romy said. 

“If you only give 90 percent, you’ll only get 90 percent out and that you will only ever get the number that you have earned. 

“I’ve really tried to step that up in this prep.”

Romy will compete at 9am tomorrow.

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PHOTO: Supplied