NOT even intense studying for university exams can wipe the smile off powerlifter Robert Harniman’s face.
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The third-year medical student won silver at the world powerlifting championships in Sydney on the weekend in his first international competition.
The Canadian, who is based in Warrnambool, was thrilled just to make the Australian team in the 82.5kg division.
“As soon as they announced I got silver I just jumped up and ran up on to the stage and said ‘give it to me’ before they changed their minds,” he said.
“I was worried there was a mistake.”
There was no error.
“I was really excited and I’ve had a smile ever since.” While studying for next week’s exams is his priority, Harniman was back in Warrnambool’s Anytime Fitness gym yesterday doing a light weights session.
He is planning to return to Canada for his first Christmas in two years with his partner and family to “see the snow and just relax”.
He intends returning to Warrnambool in late January for his fourth-year education before building up to more powerlifting competition.
Harniman said powerlifting was a good outlet for him.
It requires competitors to make three attempts in three disciplines — a deadlift, squat and bench press.
“It’s more of a hobby,” he said. “Although I do train, I don’t have coaches.” He said he was surprised to be close after the first round of competition, the squat. He achieved a 15-kilogram personal best of 185 kilograms before bench pressing 152.5kg. He then completed a deadlift of 220kg. Entering the deadlift, he was five kilograms behind Singapore’s Bryan Tan who went on to claim the gold medal with a 270kg lift.
grbest@fairfaxmedia.com.au