Powerlifting: Foote's road to self-redemption

SMASHING: Ethan Foote badly wants his deadlift world record back and sets out on that road this weekend. PHOTO/Paul Taylor

ETHAN FOOTE is under no illusions about what he is or, more importantly, where he is going.

"Yes, I'm a big rig," says Foote, after seeking second opinion from his workmate.

The storeman at Rebel Sports in Hastings - all 1.95m tall and 150kg of him - takes another significant stride during the Hawke's Bay Powerlifting Championship today in what he perceives to be an act of self-redemption.

The 23-year-old powerlifter will use the humble champs at the Hastings Fitness Centre in his quest to not only retain but also regain his global status.

Just as he will methodically add clattering bells to the bar to squat, bench press and deadlift his way to incremental gains, Foote hopes to refine a template that will put him in good stead in the junior 120kg-plus class of the Commonwealth Powerlifting Championship in Vancouver, Canada, in early December.

The reigning champion since 2013 - the championships is held every two years - he will compete in the "classic raw" category that is devoid of lifting accessories such as knee wraps, squat and bench suits.

"I do it raw, which means I just wear a belt around my waist," explains Foote who is the best for his class in New Zealand.

But what causes the former St John's College pupil discomfort akin to an errant pebble in the boot is losing his perch as world record-breaking deadlifter since acquiring the status of Commonwealth champion in Auckland in 2013.

"I had the record of 330kg but I'm going to smash it."

A Lithuanian powerlifter eclipsed it by 5kg late last year but only a month ago Cameron McKenzie, an Australian, claimed the bragging rights with a deadlift of 341kg.

"I have a comp PB [personal best] of 345 kilos but it's not something I've lifted internationally so it doesn't count."

Needless to say, Foote is pretty confident of emulating his world record-breaking feat with a better weight.

"It's a bit of redemption for me. I can't let an Aussie have it, can I?"

He is banking on training partner Dimi Hanara to push him through the mental and physical barrier tomorrow.

His short-term goal is to retain his junior 120kg-plus title in Vancouver.

That is tantamount to claiming four gold medals - squat (280kg-plus), bench press (200kg) and deadlift (250kg-plus) with the fourth coming as the overall winner when points are tallied from the three disciplines.

He is indebted to Warren Trent, of Wellington, owner of Powerhouse Gym, "one of the best strength gyms in New Zealand".

Trent has only been helping since last month but is the architect of the footprint he will follow for success in Vancouver.

Foote trains five times a week in 90-minute stints across the three disciplines.

He began pumping iron two years after he left high school in 2010 because "I'm naturally suited to weights".

However, he gravitated towards powerlifting, his speciality, in December 2012.

"A few members at my gym just decided to lift weights and I joined them and fell in love with it."

Foote sees it as a "physical outlet" that offers a decent "adrenalin rush".