Bunbury powerlifter Phil Wilde has muscled his way to the top of the state with an extraordinary display of strength at the 2016 WA Powerlifting Association state titles.
The 26-year-old, who has been involved in the sport for two years, powered his way to a combined total of 870 kilograms lifted over three categories. This featured a 365 kilogram squat, a 220 kilogram bench press and a 285 kilogram dead lift.
The personal best effort clinched the overall champion title for Wilde and moved him one step closer to his next target of 900 kilograms.
“I didn’t know much about the sport to begin with but I went to the gym a lot and people starting talking to me about it so I gave it a go,” he said.
Wilde is no stranger to success having won national titles, a world championship silver medal and the title of deadliest deadlift.
“My aim is to keep getting stronger as I head towards a combined 1000 kilogram total,” he said.
“There is only one person in Australia with a 1000 kilogram lift total so that’s my aim.
“I’m always just working on hitting the next goal and pushing for more.”
Wilde trains across a number of South West gyms and in Perth and hopes to combine with some friends of his to start his own gym locally.
“Powerlifting is starting to grow at the moment as more gyms get involved,” he said.
Wilde will now turn his attention to the national championships and the Arnold Classic in Melbourne early next year.
Andrew Elstermann
Email: andrew.elstermann@fairfaxmedia.com.au
Email: andrew.elstermann@fairfaxmedia.com.au
