Quadzilla smashes record at powerlifting champs
Quadzilla smashed his own national squat record at the GPC Waikato Power Lifting Champs this month. Hear from the man himself and check out footage of the attempt on the Waikato Independent.
Hamilton powerlifter Hamish ‘Quadzilla’ Coulter smashed his own national squat record when he lifted 330 kilograms at an event staged by the Global Powerlifting Committee this month.
“I hadn’t lifted anything close [to 330kg],” said Coulter, “But I had a feeling it was going to happen.”
The lift exceeded his previous personal and national record of 310kg, a number which he achieved while weighing just over 115kg.
Coulter, the New Zealand president of the Global Powerlifting Committee, made the attempt at the GPC Waikato Champs, an event aimed at taking powerlifting “out of the basement”.
“We had promo girls, DJs, an emcee,” said Coulter. “It has to be a party atmosphere in order for lifting to be a spectator sport.”
But the ambience and festivities weren’t just for the sake of those on the sidelines, as Coulter harnessed the energy in the air to power through an injury for his record setting lift.
“I hadn’t trained for two weeks leading up to the competition because I’d torn a tendon in my forearm, but I had a feeling it was going to happen.”
“It was the atmosphere that was generated, the music, the cheering, and the people. It just puts you on another level,” said Coulter.
This mind-over-matter approach is the key to success in powerlifting, said Coulter.
“The human body can do amazing things; you just have to be in the right state of mind.”
Though pleased with his recent success, Quadzilla has his eyes on the international stage.
“The world record is 350kg, and that’s not far off what I’ve got. That’s definitely next.”
Check out the video of Quadzilla’s record breaking squat below
