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Retired farmer Russell Miller lifts the bar in the dead lift at the New Zealand Masters Games. Photo by Jane Dawber. |
It was his first powerlifting competition but this did not
worry Russell Miller because he had lifted weights all his
life.
Miller (76), a retired Winton sheep farmer, was used to heavy
work on the farm and has kept himself fit since retiring from
the farm 17 years ago.
"If you want to be fit all your life go farming," Miller
said.
"Farming is a boring, seasonal and repetitive job but it
makes you fit."
Miller has continued his active life since retiring to
Invercargill and has run 500 half-marathons and the Kepler
Challenge seven times.
His best half-marathon time is 2hr and his fastest time for
the Kepler Challenge is 10hr 30min.
But he injured his knee five years ago when helping a friend
put in an outside toilet and has substituted cycling for
running.
"I cycle 150km a week and reach speeds of between 30kmh and
40kmh," he said. Miller came to Dunedin to compete in cycling
and thought he might as well have a crack at power lifting,
as well.
"I have taught weightlifting for the last 20 years but I have
never competed in the sport before," he said.
It was a good move because he won the silver medal in the
over-70 class behind South Otago farmer Bruce Park.
Park (74) won the gold medal with a total score of 355kg. His
squat was 115kg, bench press 70kg and dead lift 170kg.
Miller was happy with the silver medal with his score of
145kg - squat 35kg, bench press 30kg and dead lift 80kg.
Dunedin nurse Sylvia Clarkson (65), who started powerlifting
three years ago to strengthen her back, won the women's
over-65 63kg class with a score of 262.5kg - squat 90kg,
bench press 52.5kg and dead lift 120kg.
She believes the sport is beneficial to women because it can
help prevent osteoporosis.
Dunedin's Amanda Young, in the M1 grade (over age 40), gained
personal-best performances in the squat (105kg), bench press
(77.5kg) and the dead lift (140kg) for a personal-best total
of 322.5kg when winning the gold medal.
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