MONTHS of training recently paid off for Mount Gambier’s Sophie Bohner, who returned from a recent powerlifting competition with a gold medal and two personal bests.
Lifting a combined total of 317.5kg, Bohner impressed at the Pretty and Powerful Women’s Powerlifting Competition held in Melbourne last Sunday.
She received first place in her division after recording a 117.5kg squat, 60kg bench and 140kg deadlift.
Bohner smashed her deadlift personal best by 10kg and added an extra 7.5kg to her squat.
Surprising herself, Bohner said it was a matter of rising to the occasion.
“I am very pleased with my results,” she said.
“I hit all of the numbers I wanted and a little bit more.
“The adrenaline really kicked in at the competition and I just felt I had to go for it.
“With it being a women’s only event the atmosphere was really empowering and supportive.
“I had people I did not know cheering for me.”
With less than two years experience under her lifting belt, Bohner was first introduced to the sport during group training sessions at Kirk Health Solutions.
“I remember when I first picked up a squat bar and thought that was heavy, now I am lifting numbers I never thought possible,” she said.
Bohner attended the competition for the first time last year when she was fairly new to the sport.
“Last year I just went to have a bit of a look at how competitions are run and I did not place,” she said.
“This time I had a clear picture of what to expect and set specific goals for myself.”
To amp up her training ahead of this year’s event, Bohner teamed up with Rob Povey at Povey Performance.
She trained hard for four months leading up to Sunday’s event.
“I have to thank all of my trainers who helped me get to this point and introducing me to the sport,” Bohner said.
“I have never really connected with a sport until now.
“It really drives me to achieve goals and work hard.
“It is a great sport and watching myself achieve results is very rewarding.”
Bohner has already started training to compete in next year’s state championship event as part of the CAPO Australian Powerlifting Organisation.
