Powerlifting: Bay duo in record-breaking mode

Harley Kamura (left), and Dimi Hanara with some of their spoils from the national bench press powerlifting championships. Photo / Glenn Taylor

One is a young gentle giant, the other a hobbly former Hawke's Bay Unicorns rugby league representative.

But former Unicorn Dimi Hanara and 18-year-old Harley Kamura, the only Hawke's Bay lifters among the Central Districts contingent at the recent New Zealand Bench Press powerlifting championships in Auckland returned home with several New Zealand records and a bag full of trophies.

In his second appearance at the nationals Hanara, 41, won the masters and open 120kg and under class titles with a press of 252.5kg. He set the previous record of 252kg last year.

"I missed 265kg twice but it was still a good rehearsal for me as I prepare for the Oceania champs in Melbourne when I will try and retain my title," Hanara said.

The forestry contractor travelled home with the trophy for the best overall lifter, the best equipped lifter, the best masters lifter and the best masters one class lifter. When one considers he is two months short of having lifted for two years this is an impressive haul from the 48-lifter event staged at Alexandra Park.

Hanara and his wife Jess, who will tackle the open women's 84kg three lift division, are the only Hawke's Bay lifters entered for Melbourne but the 118kg Hanara is doing his best to encourage Kamura to make the trip.

The 164kg Kamura, who can wolf down 15 Weet-Bix in one sitting, competed in the 120kg plus junior division won the overall sub junior and unequipped titles with a national record press of 185kg.

"I beat the previous record of 150kg twice with my lifts of 170 and 185kg. The previous junior record was 180kg and I just missed 195kg through a technicality," Kamura explained. "But I went there with the aim of getting a record and I got it," Kamura, who started powerlifting back in January, said.

With the sub junior division catering for lifters 14-18 Kamura knows he will only be able to compete in the junior division for 19-23 years lifters next year.

A Boulevard Services industrial cleaner, Kamura, was quick to reply when quizzed on the secret to his success.

"Training hard ... at least five to six times a week. I have to thank the crew at the Hastings Fitness Centre for all their encouragement too."

While there is a slight chance Kamura may go to Melbourne he said a definite date is the Commonwealth Championships in Canada during December next year. He will tackle a three lift section there which involves bench press, squat and deadlift.

Hanara is among the confirmed starters for the Hawke's Bay championships at the Hastings Fitness Centre on October 18. Kamura is undecided but a gentle prod from his trainer and motivator Hanara is likely to see him strut his stuff.