After previously winning two gold medals and smashing four national records, a young powerlifter from Mitchells Plain has done it again.
Last weekend, Brandon Samuels, 20, from Montrose Park, was named the top powerlifter at the SA Powerlifting Championships held in Potchefstroom.
The strongman deadlifted 250kg, bench-pressed 125kg and squatted with 170kg to be ranked the highest scorer.
And he has now been selected for the SA squad to compete at the world champs in Sweden later this year.
WINNER: Brandon’s gold powerlifting championship medals. Photo: Kaylin Peterson
This is the second time Brandon has made the South African team, but he fears a lack of funding will hold him back again.
In 2018, he sold boerewors rolls and held raffles to raise the R30 000 for the trip to Canada, but could only raise R5 000.
This year Brandon trained six days a week despite working full-time at a printing shop.
Last year he set a new record for deadlifting in the under-66kg Junior division by lifting 230kg, which was 15kg more.
This year he trained hard to deadlift 250kg, breaking his own record.
“By lifting the 250kg, I broke my own record in the junior division as well as the open division where the previous record was 240kg,” he tells the Daily Voice.
“With a score of 545 points, I also broke the record for the best powerlifter in both categories, making it four in total.
“This year I worked hard and kept pushing myself. I could have left it and said I already have a record, but I wanted to break my own record, although I didn’t expect this.”
CHAMP: Brandon crowned SA’s top powerlifter. Photo: Kaylin Peterson
Brandon started powerlifting in 2016 during his matric year at Spine Road High School.
He says it helped to take his mind off all the negativity around him and focus on the positive aspects of life.
“The world champs will be in Sweden this year and I am not sure yet how much it will cost, but I am worried about sponsorships,” he says.
“Last year I needed R30 000 for the world champs in Canada and I did lots of things like raffles and sold boerewors rolls, but I couldn’t raise enough money.
“I am proud of my achievements and would like to thank the Mitchells Plain Powerlifting Club, my family and my girlfriend, Adrienne Stuurman, for all their support.
If you would like to help, call Brandon on 084 651 7140 or email [email protected].