Whanganui powerlifter top seed

Whanganui athlete Amanda Foulkes is rated top seed for next month's Commonwealth Powerlifting Championships in South Africa.

Whanganui powerlifter Amanda Foulkes will go for back-to-back international gold when she represents New Zealand at the Commonwealth Powerlifting Championships in South Africa next month.

The Whanganui personal trainer is one of seven Kiwi's chosen to represent New Zealand in the championships in Potchefstroom on Septemvber 11-17. Foulkes well exceeded the total required to compete Internationally and has been selected to compete in the Open 52kg class.

This is the second time the Wanganui Bootcamp instructor and personal trainer has represented New Zealand in powerlifting.

In December last year in Christchurch Foulkes competed in the Oceania Raw Powerlifting Championship in the Open 57kg class and took home the gold medal in a heated battle coming down to the final lift, the deadlift, where she broke a New Zealand record.

With a qualifying total of 355kg across the three lifts, Foulkes has been nominated first in her weight class and will compete as favourite and top seed.

"Anything can and will happen on the day, I will do everything I can to put my best performance forward and bring home a medal for New Zealand," Foulkes said.

"Things are getting hard now as the event gets closer. I'm lifting heavier weights, but doing less reps (repetitions). I'm sure I will be lifting heavier weights than I have been.
This event is a step up from Oceania and a step down from worlds, which I intend doing next year."

During grueling training sessions Foulkes often thinks about the Wanganui Bootcamp and Wanganui Barbell members who look to her for inspiration.

"I really want women to realise how strong they are and that strength is never a weakness.
We strongly encourage the use of Strength Training as a modality to get fitter, stronger and ultimately leaner.

"Ladies lifting heavy weights will not make them bulky."

Powerlifting is, unfortunately, a self-funded sport in New Zealand, even at an international level.

Subsequently Foulkes selling the range of Nothing Naughty Protein bars and a special release t-shirt to assist with the costs of competing.