Sport
1 July, 2025
Horsham powerlifters star at Australian championships
Four Horsham powerlifters medalled when they travelled to Brunswick on June 22 to compete in the South Division of the 2025 Australian Powerlifting Championships.
Upwards of 80 athletes from Victoria, South Australia and Western Australia competed across different weight and age classifications at the championships.
The competition involved participants attempting three types of lifts – a squat, a bench press and a deadlift – at the highest possible weight, with those scores then being combined to determine the overall results.
Representing Horsham were Ben Hogan, Paul Sanders, Selina Smith and Karl Hornsby, all based at Anytime Fitness in Horsham.
Hogan, the coach of the other three athletes, said he was proud of the group’s efforts.
“We went down and gave it our best and we all came back with a medal, which is pretty good,” Hogan said.
“We're pretty stoked about it.
“It definitely puts Horsham on the map when it comes to powerlifting in Australia.”
Hogan placed first in the 85kg weight class and the 40-44 age division, also receiving the best male lifter trophy for the day, awarded across all classifications.
It was all the more impressive considering it was Hogan’s first time competing in that weight range.
“I've never performed at this weight category before – I usually compete in the 94kg category,” Hogan said.
“But I did a weight cut down to under 85 for this comp just to go against new competition.
Hogan’s lifts totalled 658kg: a 163kg bench press, 240kg squat and a 255kg deadlift.
Paul Sanders won his 60-64 age division and came second in the 105kg weight category, lifting a total of 551kg.
Selina Smith, who started powerlifting just over a year ago, came first in both her age group (40-44) and weight division, lifting a combined 420kg.
Karl Hornsby secured third place in the 85kg classification with a combined 504kg.
The powerlifters identified discipline across training, nutrition and lifestyle as being pivotal to their progression and success.
All four athletes qualify for selection for the 2025 Oceania Championships, to be held in Sydney on September 21 this year.