Capes triumphant in higher weight class

Training partners Vincent Capes (left) and Harrison Pollard could go head-to-head at the IPF Raw/Classic World Powerlifting Championships in Texas from June 19 to 26. PHOTO/SUPPLIED

Young Masterton powerlifter Vincent Capes has seized regional victory in a weight division above his usual class despite missing out on equalling his New Zealand record in the leaner grade.

Capes, 17, said he "stuffed up" a weight cut regime that should have put him in the 74kg subjunior class at the CDPA Club Lift at Powerhouse Gym in the capital a week ago Saturday, missing the cut by 500g and having to compete in the 83kg class instead.

"I still ended up winning the class but if I had competed in the 74kg class I would have equalled my New Zealand record squat," he said.

Powerlifting consists of three events, the squat, deadlift and bench press, during which competitors lift successively heavier weights in three attempts and their best three lifts in each event comprise an overall total.

Competition is divided into two categories; equipped lifting that allows a supportive bench shirt or squat and deadlift suit or briefs, and raw lifting that is performed without the specialised clothing.

Capes, a Rathkeale College Year 13 student, competed at the Commonwealth powerlifting championships in Vancouver, Canada, in December and took a silver medal in the 74kg division, with a squat of 182.5kg, bench press of 100kg, and a dead lift of 200kg for an overall total of 482.5kg. His best lift in the squat represents a New Zealand record for his class by all of 7.5kg.

Capes lifted a personal best overall total of 500kg during his latest competitive outing in Wellington with a squat of 182.5kg, bench press of 107kg, and a deadlift of 210kg.

"I was happy with that for sure," he said.

Capes trains with Harrison Pollard, fellow subjunior powerlifter and Rathkeale College Year 12 schoolmate, at Wai Weight Gym in Masterton, where world champion junior powerlifter Brett Gibbs has also trained in his lead-up to international competitions in the division.

Pollard also competed at the latest Powerhouse meet in Wellington in the 74kg class and equalled Capes' NZ record squat as a personal best, 95kg in the bench press, and 185kg in the deadlift for an overall total of 462.5kg.

Pollard is also seeking a berth in the subjunior New Zealand squad and will go head-to-head against his training partner in Texas if he makes the cut.

"I got a bit on him at the moment with my totals just because my deadlift's stronger but it'll be cool if we compete against each other for sure."

Capes said his goal for the regional and world contest is to make weight in the 74kg class and lift a total of 560kg and up his Wilks points score, which measures the strength of powerlifters against each other despite the different weight divisions.

A Wilks points score of 500kg and above is "moving in to elite territory", Capes said.

"At the moment we're starting our cycle up to central districts champs in April, which is our last testing before the world champs in Texas and everything's going pretty sweet."