REECE Vella packs a hell of a punch into his small yet powerful frame.
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His recent efforts at the 2016 Powerlifting Australia Raw Opens National Championships in Brisbane proves that.
Vella is now the fourth best powerlifter in his division in Australia.
He qualified for the national titles, alongside just five others, by performing strongly in various competitions throughout the year.
During the event, the competitors had three attempts each at squatting, bench pressing and deadlifting as much as they could. The total weight lifted determined the placing.
Vella was successful in his second attempt of 255 kilogram squat, 157.5kg bench press and 305kg deadlift, which were all personal bests for him.
Unfortunately he missed all of his third attempts at a heavier weight but was still over the moon with his efforts.
“It was really tough. The day is so quick compared to normal events. Psychologically it was draining,” he said.
“It was a really good day but I don’t think I was in the best mind frame I could have been.
“I’ll get back on the bandwagon now to try and qualify for nationals again next year.”
In the meantime, the Port Macquarie lad will join the air force as a nursing officer. But that doesn’t mean he will stop training.
“I’ll be gaining some more fitness while maintaining my strength,” he said.
“In a 12 week block of training leading up to nationals I did three to four hours of training a day, four days a week. It was really intense.
“I’ve been doing a comp every three months for the past 12 months so my body is kind of used to it by now.”
You would expect a powerlifter to have an insane diet full of steak and eggs, but that was not the case.
“I actually eat a lot of pasta during the week, as well as lots of protein,” he said.
“It’s pretty standard, it’s nothing out of the ordinary like some people might think.”
He points to the deadlift as being his best type of lift, almost shooting for an Australian record last weekend.
“I was meant to go for 320kg but I wasn’t ready for it mentally,” he said.
“The record is 315kg so I would have broken the Aussie record if I had of gone for it. I’ll get there one day.”
Vella has been powerlifting in Port Macquarie for some time and sent a message to those wanting to join the rapidly growing sport.
“If any body in the area would like to get into powerlifting, or any strength and conditioning training, they should talk to Mark Jamsek at East Coast Barbell,” he said.
“He will be holding a novice power lifting competition in Port on February 12 after his last competition two weeks ago was a great success.
“He continues to introducing power lifting to the area and I’m happy to support him and the sport in Port Macquarie.”