HEAVY LIFTING: CQ ‘fitness freak’ smashing the competition

Biloela powerlifter lifts double his body weight to take out State Championship

IRON MAN: 21 year-old Nicholas Findelator from Biloela wins deadlift State Championship at his first ever competition.

LIFTING double his body weight, Biloela born and bred 21 year-old Nicholas Findelator has won a State Championship powerlifting competition.

Competing at the CAPO National Deadlift Challenge in Brisbane at the Brothers Rugby Union Club on December 7, Findelator deadlifted 225kg to take out first place in the Junior Division.

Proud of what he had achieved in his first major powerlifting meet, Findelator has his eyes on another State Championship event in 2020, a massive year on his calendar.

“I will be doing a State Championship on May 10 and hopefully win that to qualify for the National Championship in Perth,” Findlelator said.

“When I turn 22 next September I will have to requalify for the Open Age category.

“It’s the first stepping stone in this process that I’ve been working for.”

Weighing in at 105kg, Findelator had three lifts at the CAPO National Deadlift Challenge, successfully lifting 210kg, 220kg and then 225kg.

“Whatever you lift, the judges and officials calculate the difference between body weight and what you lift which gives you your score,” Findelator said.

“I knew 220kg would win because it’s more than double my body weight.”

Although raised in Biloela, Findelator moved to Brisbane in 2016 after graduating high school in 2015 to chase more opportunities in the powerlifting arena.

“I wanted to be part of the powerlifting community here in Brisbane and I knew I had to make the move if I wanted to make the next step,” Findelator said.

“It keeps me fit and everyone that does powerlifting is always there for you.

“It always feels more like a team sport than an individual one.”

HUGE RELIEF: Nicholas FIndelator(on his knees)celebrates his State Championship victory with friends.

Findelator’s father Tony, travelled down to Brisbane from Biloela on December 6 to watch his son compete who he labelled as a fitness freak.

“Everyone time I ring him he’s always at the gym,” Mr Findlelator said.

“I’m over the moon for him, he’s done Biloela proud.

“He was so excited when he won in Brisbane.

“He’s a bit of a city slicker now though.”

Findlelator said he trains at World Gym and also at Fortitude Barbell under the mentorship of CAPO competition and event organiser Jonny Bbad.

“I’m at the gym six days a week, lifting for three hours,” Findlelator said.

“I follow an online program from America which specialises in providing that 12 weeks of prep leading up to competition that will make you peak in strength for the competition.

“It’s personal tailored to you and it will show you what numbers you have to hit each week with your diet and lifting.”

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