YAREN, (DIGICEL) – Nauru’s world champion powerlifter, Jezza Uepa, set a new world record at the recent 2015 Pacific Invitational championships in Australia.
Held at the Health and Fitness centre in Melbourne, the Digicel sponsored team produced some high quality lifting and broke two world records – officially making Jezza one of the world’s strongest powerlifting men.
Lifting in the 120+ kilo bodyweight category, Jezza Uepa recorded a massive 415 kilograms in the squat discipline of the competition. The squat not only won the competition but also beat the previous world record of 413 kilograms. Jezza also holds a world record total of lifting 978.5kg.
The world champion participated in the three categories of squat, bench press and dead lift and also went home with the Best Lifter Award.
Thrilled about his recent win, Uepa commented, ‘’I was thrilled with the result. 2 world records and best lifter overall- I am proud of my win and proud to put Nauru on the world stage!” Jezza continued on to show his support for his sponsors the Nauru Government, Digicel, Nauru Airlines, Sterling Security, Powerlifting Australia and Strength Sports gym.
Digicel Pacific Chief Executive Officer, Michael Murphy met with the team on his recent visit to Nauru to congratulate Jezza and the team on their outstanding effort. “Jezza and the team performed spectacularly at the Pacific Invitational this month, his new records are something all of Nauru should be proud of” said Mr Murphy.
The other Nauruan competitor Taggart Duburiya, attempted the Junior World Benchpress record of 172.5 kilograms.
Discussing the team’s performance, coach Gerard Jones said, “The team did extremely well, we are so proud that our small island has produced such global super stars in powerlifting. Jezza was overwhelmed with his results at the Melbourne competition. Now, we are focussing on physically and mentally preparing ourselves for the next competition’’.
Over the coming weeks and months, Jezza will be training in preparation for his trip to Finland in June where he will be participating on the world stage again and looking to better his current world record of 415kg in the squat. He will also be leading the Nauru team at the Pacific Games in Papua New Guinea this July.
