You Win Some You Lose Some

Over the weekend, Coaches Tori and Ro hit the platform for the first time this year.

The first time our Coaches have competed together, they were excited to enjoy the day together and do what they love most, lift heavy things up and down.

The platform is a whole new world and boy oh boy did the platform provide a mixed bag on the day!

Coach Ro had a troubling two weeks leading into comp day with her upper back causing her some pain and frustration. This meant she had to heavily alter her training in the last few weeks which left her feeling uneasy and anxious for the comp.

Coach Tori had been chugging away really nicely throughout her prep. Tori has made significant changes in body composition since her last competition, last September, which meant that the numbers she was lifting was comparable to her previous prep. Although prescribed loads were similar, given Tori’s 7kg reduction in body weight, Tori had been working really hard on technique and not letting expectations get the better of her.

Our Coaches were flanked by our barbell babes left, right & centre. Our squad came out in full force and put their hands up to help out wherever they could.
We had ladies spotting and loading on the platform, babes out back helping the Coaches and many more in the front of the crowd sending love and good energy their way.

Warm ups under way, Tori and Ro were looking good. Nerves were buzzing, Ro was listening to her one song on repeat to calm her down and Tori was holding a calm and quiet demeanour.

Competing is completely different to training. Backstage there is so much going on. Lifters from everywhere bring their own energy and intentions and it’s up to you as a lifter to stay in your own lane and run your own race. Emotions are high and nerves are skyrocketing as the lifting starts.

Ro hit her squats with force, hitting a 105kg squat with improved technique. Narrowly missing her third squat attempt she had to compose herself to step into bench.

Hitting 3/3 on her bench attempts, we could hear Ro yell “YES!” as she locked out a 58kg bench PB.

In great spirits she again hit her deadlifts with force. Given her recent upper back troubles, this was the lift she was feeling the most uneasy about, finding it difficult to gain tension as she held a heavy load. Her second attempt at 140kg flew and she was excited to give the 150kg a good nudge for only the second time ever on the comp platform. She gave her third a huge fight! Locking out but getting two red lights, she narrowly missed the 150kg with a massive grind face and her tongue poking out to match.

Taking out second place in the under 58kg weight class at 55kg, Ro hit an Elite 1 Grading that secured a nice position for the start of her competitive year.

Tori had a hard and challenging day on the platform. Nerves were extremely high and her performance reflected this.
An extremely tough day with her squats; Tori failed all three. First attempt was the only attempt locked out however she received red lights for downward movement. Completely devastated Tori walked outside and took some moments to compose herself.

What would come next would be a feat of strength like no other.

She had burst into tears and was mentally beaten down.

This was not the end.

Showing so much inner strength and courage, Tori got back up and continued to compete.

For those that were there, we all felt for her. Our heart hurt along with her. When she came back out to bench, the cheering of support not only just from our squad but from the whole crowd was incredible.

She got back up, finished her bench and deadlift and showed up like an absolute Queen.

Because of this, we are all so extremely proud of Coach Tori.

To ride the highs is one thing, but to get back up from incredible lows requires so much bravery.