Matti Tikka competition produces more than 20 Australian records

RECORDS tumbled at the Matti Tikka 2016 powerlifting competition on Sunday in Penrith following enormous displays of strength from lifters in all categories.

Powerlifters performing at the Matti Tikka Showcase Competition in Penrith.Harry Lawday, 14 doing deadlift

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RECORDS tumbled at the Matti Tikka 2016 powerlifting competition on Sunday in Penrith following enormous displays of strength from lifters in all categories.

In total, 26 Australian records were broken by the 30 competitors in what was a high-class event which was hosted by the Strength Nation gym.

Strength Nation member, and Katoomba native, Harry Lawday is just 14 years old but he broke Australian records in the 59kg category as a sub junior.

He set a squat record of 150kg and created a new deadlift mark of 180kg.

Najat Khoury performs a deadift at the Matti Tikka Showcase Competition in Penrith on Sunday. Picture: Peter Kelly.

He also produced a total record of 420kg, when accounting for his bench press.

Lawday said he couldn’t have lifted any better and felt in-form on the day.

“I was hoping to lift around those numbers. I knew I had it in me and I had the confidence to do it on the day,” he said.

“For the next competition I’d like to add an extra 5kg to each lift.

“I’m aiming for a 210kg deadlift – that’s the main goal.”

Lawday proved how quickly a competitor can improve in the sport.

“When I first started powerlifting I was squatting 100kg, benching 65kg and deadlifting 120kg. I’ve improved during the past four months,” he said.

Najat Khoury doing a bench press. Picture: Peter Kelly.

Richard Hozjan, one of Australia’s best Raw and Equipped lifters, broke the Equipped Bench record for the 120kg men’s division with a Raw lift of 217kg and Equipped bench record of 275kg.

Australia’s number one in the 72kg women’s class, Kelli Clarke, broke the squat record of 165.5kg and deadlift record of 191.5kg and total record of 431.5kg.

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