JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A Jacksonville lady is heading to the Nationwide Senior Video games in Iowa to compete in powerlifting and goes to be part of historical past.
At 57 years previous, Janell Thomas is taking part within the Nationwide Senior Video games in Iowa as a powerlifter.
It’s the first time sport is being featured within the nationwide competitors (WJXT)
It’s the first time sport is being featured within the nationwide competitors
“[I want] to be a trailblazer for different females to come back in and take part in powerlifting,” Thomas stated. “That provides them extra motivation to see somebody of my age, 57. There are older girls who’re competing within the powerlifting additionally.”
Thomas says she will likely be scored on 3 totally different classes: the squat, bench press and deadlift.
“Powerlifting has undoubtedly challenged me mentally, bodily, and I’m loving it,” she stated. “I’ve realized that I’ve extra confidence. I really feel a lot stronger.”
Thomas says her present most weight for bench press is 132 kilos however is seeking to attain 135.
She desires to get to at the very least 160 kilos for the squat and needs to elevate at the very least 260 kilos within the deadlift.
Thomas began powerlifting 2023 when she was on the lookout for a sport to check her abilities.
Thomas says she has come to like it. She competed on the Florida Senior Video games final December in Tampa to qualify for nationals.
Gabriel Mihuta is a retired grasp health coach for the U.S. Military, who now serves as Thomas’ coach.
“She is only a heck of an athlete,” Mihuta stated. “There isn’t a stop in that woman. There’s none. I’ve met athletes and have been developed as some type of motion for 26 years. I’ve by no means met any individual who ironed their perfection on high of ironing. Their perfection. She just isn’t going to depend reps that don’t matter. If she messes up on a rep or if she falls brief on a rep, she goes to do it again and again to the purpose we’ve got to maintain her again from it.”
Professionally, Thomas owns a childcare middle and is a therapeutic massage therapist.
She says powerlifting could be the catalyst to a more healthy life-style.
“Powerlifting really provides you extra energy,” Thomas stated. “It helps along with your well being, your confidence, and I’d encourage any lady or male to start out lifting weights.”
Thomas is competing in Iowa on Sunday, August 3.
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