Sunshine Coast gym kids: The 13 young powerlifters breaking records

They may look small but a handful of young Sunshine Coast children are lifting some record-breaking weights for their age. Check out their phenomenal personal bests here.

A group of Sunshine Coast children and teens are taking the powerlifting world by storm, setting national records while one girl is lifting twice her body weight.

The little lifters, aged from 11-16 competed and set records for their weight classes at a national qualifying event in the region in June held by CAPO Powerlifting Australia.

The powerlifters call home Sunshine Coast gym Muscle Hut along Production Ave, Warana, which started biweekly powerlifting sessions for children and young teenagers earlier this year.

Muscle Hut owner and head coach Scott Hipwell, 43, said he started the sessions because powerlifting organisations in the country started recognising events for children, and the offspring of his adult gym members were eager to take up the sport.

“We thought what better chance to bring people’s kids in,” he said.

Take a look at 13 of the record-breakers and other young guns:

Ayla Hipwell

Warana powerlifter Ayla Hipwell, 11, might have a small frame but is outrageously strong, setting three powerlifting records for her weight class at the event in June.

Ms Hipwell, weighing only 32 kgs, set records for the heaviest squat at 40kg, dead lift at 65kg and bench press at 25kg.

Ms Hipwell, a keen sprinter and the daughter of Muscle Hut’s owner, was raised in the gym, but took powerlifting seriously earlier this year. The young gun said she has giant dreams in the sport too.

“Maybe set a world record. It would take some time, but I think I can do it,” she said.

Johnathan Little

Nambour strong man Johnathan Little, 13, has set a breathtaking 17 powerlifting records in Australia since February for the under 52kg division.

The young athlete, who weighs 45.5kg, has squatted 100kg, bench pressed 50ks, and deadlifted 105kg.

His mum and elite powerlifter, Janelle Chamberlin, said her son had a gift.

“He’s damn strong for his age,” she said.

Hain Naung
Sunshine Coast powerlifter Hain Naung, 16, has also set records for the heaviest squat, dead lift and bench press in his weight class.

Chayse Garde

Glass House Mountains powerlifter Chayse Garde, 13, set records for the heaviest squat, dead lift, and bench press for the under 90kg division.

Lily File

Caloundra athlete Lily File, 13, has been hitting the gym for 11 weeks and can already dead lift a whopping 55kg.

Zach Thomas

Baringa strong boy Zach Thomas, 11, only weighs 35kg but can dead lift up to 45kg.

He said he also enjoyed bench pressing.

Jaxon Pevreal

Mountain Creek powerlifter Jaxon Pevreal, 7, is full of passion for the sport and can dead lift his bodyweight of 30kg.

Issah Graham-Kumabe

Maroochydore tiny lifter Issah Graham-Kumabe, 7, weighs 28kg, but is following in the footsteps of his mother, Kristy Graham-Kumabe who was crowned professional natural physique world champion at a global natural bodybuilding event in June.

Zaide Hipwell

Warana talent Zaide Hipwell, 9, is currently too young to compete but his numbers would give any young powerlifter a run for their money.

The young man can dead lift up to 45kg.

Tori Pevreal and Layla Roberts

Tori Pevreal, left, and Layla Roberts, right. Picture: Asa Andersen.

Mountain Creek powerlifter Tori Pevreal, 10, has a personal best dead lift of 47kg after starting the sport earlier this year.
Her friend and Little Mountain resident Layla Roberts, 10, is also mad about the sport.

She can dead lift 47kg and was eyeing a powerlifting competition later this year.

Charleigh Pevreal

Mountain Creek powerlifter Charleigh Pevreal, 12, can dead lift up to 55kg and dreamt of being able to compete and break powerlifting records in the future.

Torma Graham-Kumabe

Maroochydore little lifter Torma Graham-Kumabe, 9, is one of the best young powerlifters at Muscle Hut.

Mr Graham-Kumabe is also the son of world champion natural bodybuilder Kristy Graham-Kumabe.