Weightlifting to build muscle for rugby turned into a passion for powerlifting 

  

  

 Weightlifting was supposed to be Ben Calder-Lee's strength training for rugby, but instead it became his ticket to the world powerlifting stage. 

The 22-year-old from Christchurch can lift 277kg, the weight of an average drinks machine. 

He believed that strength was worthy of a medal at the second World Junior Powerlifting Championships in Malta next month. 

Calder-Lee will represent New Zealand  against the best young lifters (under 24 years old) from around the world. To complete three different exercises - squat, bench press and deadlift - each requires loading a huge amount of weight. 

New Zealand powerlifter Ben Calder-Lee trains at Hyperbolic Gym in Sydenham. Peter Meacham/Press 

Caldur Lee discovered the sport after joining a gym  five years ago to build muscle for rugby. Since then, he has won two national powerlifting  titles, five state championships and two regional records. 

"To be honest, I still have a  big passion for rugby and other ball sports, but I've just found my passion... a way to do what I do best," he said. 

His biggest lifts included a squat of 255kg, bench press of 155kg and deadlift of 277.5kg.  After finishing 15th out of 20 competitors in the U-74kg class at last year's competition in Romania, Calder-Lee has built up more muscle and moved up  to the U-83kg class. 

Ben Calder-Lee's biggest achievement so far has been winning the junior U-74kg class at the 2022 Commonwealth Powerlifting Championships in Auckland. 

 

 Caldery has learned a lot since last year's performance, which he described as his "worst day on stage." He said that a rapid 3kg weight loss before the competition to reach the weight  known as the "cut" and a three-day non-stop trip abroad were factors in his downfall. 

"It was an incredibly educational experience... We're full of energy and we've made some changes because we didn't  perform as well as we wanted to last year. ” 

Canterbury Powerlifting Association president Natasha Clarke previously told The Press that membership has "boomed" in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, especially in the junior group. Last year, Canterbury had 140 members. 

Powerlifter Ben Calder-Lee achieved a squat of 255kg. 

Powerlifting coach and personal trainer Calder-Lee said he has seen a "huge increase" in participation over the past five years. 

In his role as weight room manager at Shirley Boys High School, he enjoyed coaching students and encouraging others to compete. Calder Lee, who lifted weights five days a week, said it takes "a lot of dedication and consistency" to become an elite-level powerlifter. 

What motivated him, he said, was a "like-minded, determined and passionate community." 

"[The community] really pushes each other and me to be stronger and evolve, not just on the platform but off it as well." 

The Junior World  Powerlifting Championships will run from August 28 to September 8.