Mudgee’s Jono George started to take power lifting seriously in the early stages of 2016 but probably didn’t think he’d be the Australian Oceania Bench Press Champion less than two years later.
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The 28-year-old recently broke the national record for the 66kg division with a 151kg bench – a record he had previously broken a a handful of times.
Jono used to go to the gym to bulk up for rugby league but his plans changed after he sustained a couple of serious injuries.
“I went to the gym so I didn’t get thrown around on the footy paddock due to my size,” George said.
“I kept getting injured in footy. I’ve had a couple of knee reconstructions so I just started training in the gym.
“I didn’t know there was a power lifting federation and I looked into it and thought I was around the mark strength-wise but I didn’t know if I had the right technique.
That’s where Strength Nation Penrith came into play as George masters his craft at the foot of the mountains whenever he can.
“I try to get out there when I can. They’ve got the best facilities.”
This particular lift happened in Sydney but George was invited to New Zealand in 2016 and hopes to continue to travel for power lifting as well as adding different types of lifts to his repertoire.
Jake Humphreys
Sports nut at the Central Western Daily.
Sports nut at the Central Western Daily.
