Modern Athlete Magazine Issue 74, September 2015 | Página 26

Ma

Running & Sport

Lifting

POWER
The sport of powerlifting does not enjoy as much publicity in South Africa as many other codes, but thanks
to new runner Mariska Casey, more runners will know about it now. – BY SEAN FALCONER

The diminutive 37-year-old 45-kilogram lifter
competes in the 47kg body weight category and
is not only the current champion in her weight
category, but also holds the SA records for the
squat at 95kg, bench of 55kg, and a deadlift of
130kg! She also represented South Africa in June
at the Powerlifting World Cup in Finland, where
she finished ninth in her weight group – in just
her second year in the sport. “I’m not in the top
three yet, but quite happy with top 10 so soon
after starting. In fact, I thoroughly believe it is a
miracle... but my future goal now is to make top
five at the World Cup next year, then top three the
year after that. My journey has just started, so I am
just trying to lift as heavy as I can, and I need to
lift often and stay fit, which is where running comes
in…”
Mariska recently joined the Modern Athlete Running
Club in Central Gauteng and did her first race in
late August, having been introduced to running by
close friends, Modern Athlete Brand Ambassador

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With husband Patrick and fellow lifter
Danel van Jaarsveld in Finland

René Kalmer and her fiancé Andre. “I really enjoy
my running and I’m currently running two to three
times a week, doing a 5km to the nearby park
and back in the mornings. It’s just about fitness at
this stage, so my maximum racing distance will be
10km, but I’m hoping to do at least one race per
month, because anything less and it will be easy to
lose track of my running and become difficult to get
back into it.”

HIDDEN TALENT

Mariska says she got into powerlifting thanks to
husband, Patrick, taking it up in early 2014. “I
saw quite a bit of change in him, especially losing
weight, and thought it would be a good idea for me
too, so I joined him at the gym in May that year.
I started because I have a naturally pear-shaped
body, and was getting more so as I got older, so the
idea was to lose weight. But my first competition in
September was quite an eye-opening experience
– I never knew I was so strong until that first
competition, and quickly realised that I can do more

ISSUE 74 SEPTEMBER 2015 / www.modernathlete.co.za

than most women.” She adds that it is all about
strength, not getting big and bulky muscles. “The
aim of powerlifting is to be as strong as possible, not
to bulk up and look like Arnold Schwartzenneger. In
fact, the complete opposite happens with women,
who tend to get smaller. My muscles have become
more defined instead of bigger.”
As for representing South Africa, Mariska says that
is still sinking in. “I call it my ‘little lucky packet,’
a hidden talent I never knew I had, and it is so
amazing to represent your country alongside the
best in the world. The Chinese and Russians are so
strong, so to be up there with them is an honour.
Also, the day you get your green and gold jacket is
just incredible – even though my jacket is a bit big,
as they don’t make Protea jackets in my size. Still, it
is an honour to wear it!” She adds that powerlifting
is not in the main Olympic fold yet, but the sport
has applied for Olympic inclusion and may be added
for the 2020 Games, so she really has something
to work towards. “And the running will really help
my overall fitness if I hope to get to the Olympics
some day!”

With SA team
mate Giulia Muto

Images: Courtesy Mariska Casey

W

eightlifting is an Olympic sport and
thus many people will have seen the
two main disciplines of the sport on TV,
the snatch and the clean and jerk. Both involve
lifting the weight above one’s head, but classic
powerlifting, a non-Olympic discipline at this stage,
is all about strength in the squat, bench press
and deadlift, picking the weight up with a more
controlled movement. And one of the best in the
business is chartered accountant and University of
Johannesburg lecturer Mariska Casey. (For work
purposes, she still practices under her maiden
name, McKenzie.)