Powerlifting at a Competitive Level
Author Flt Lt Si Kirby
The deadlift
P
owerlifting is a sport that is definitely not mainstream
and one that I did not know much about. A press
release from RAF Wyton describing the recent triumph
of Chief Technician Matt Saunders at the World Powerlifting
Championships caught my eye. I was gob-smacked to discover
that Matt had earned himself the unique distinction of being
the only person to win this World title for the 11th consecutive
time. I wanted to know more and decided to interview Matt
for RAF Active.
Congratulations Matt on your amazing achievement of 11 consecutive
World Powerlifting titles. How did it all start?
Before I joined the RAF in 1987, I was a county level boxer. After
joining up I was down at the stn gym working out and I met a PTI who
was an RAF bodybuilder. I started training with him and within a year
I was competing in bodybuilding contests; however, my potential for
powerlifting had been spotted and I switched sports in 1989.
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Can you tell me the difference between weightlifting and
powerlifting?
Powerlifting is enjoyed by both men and women in over 78 countries
around the world; powerlifting is without doubt the ultimate
strength sport. It is distinct from weightlifting - a technical event
made up of two lifts (the snatch and the clean-and-jerk) where
the weight is lifted above the head. Powerlifting is a test of pure,
unadulterated, brute strength, and comprises three lifts:
the squat, bench press and deadlift
As in most sports, regional, national and international championships
provide the setting for athletes to compete against each other,
The squat.
with all the associated glory and recognition that one might
expect, but powerlifting is essentially an individual sport where
self-improvement is the greatest motivating factor. In powerlifting
competition, athletes are categorized by sex, age and bodyweight.
Each competitor is allowed three attempts at each lift, the best lift in
each discipline being added to their total. The lifter with the highest
total is the winner. In cases where two or more lifters achieve the
same total, the person with the lightest bodyweight wins.
What is the most important event to happen in your sporting
career?
Probably winning my first world title, as I then realised that I could
fulfil my potential. At the time one of my friends said that I would
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go on to win 10 world titles, I thought, ‘No way!’ and now I cannot
believe that I have exceeded that target.
What motivates you and why are you so successful at powerlifting?
I absolutely hate losing and I am an ultra-competitive sportsman.
I also really enjoy being the best! My success in powerlifting is a
combination of factors, but I am fortunate enough to be strong
in all powerlifting disciplines, which is quite unusual. Physically,
my body type is mesomorph which is a big advantage as I can
build muscle easily. (A person who has a mesomorph body type is
naturally muscular, has a trim waist and can easily lose and gain fat
and muscle weight.) All my titles have also been won in the 100kg
division, which is perfect for my strength to weight ratio. Most
importantly, I train exceptionally hard and still get a real buzz out
of going down to the gym for my next session, which ensures I am
very well prepared for all my competitions.
What other competitions, apart from the ‘Worlds’, do you compete
in?
I have competed in the British and European Championships, but not
every year as the Worlds is always my priority. My record for the
others is 10 times British and 7 times European Champion.
Not only have you just won your 11th consecutive World title, you
also set a new British and European record in the squat (317.5kg),
a new World record bench press (230kg) and a very good deadlift
(332.5kg) that produced an overall World record lift total (880kg).
What’s next?
My main focus for the last 5 years has been the overall lift total
World Record; however, doing it on the day of the big event is the
hard part. My preparation had been faultless for the recent Worlds
and in training I had already broken the existing overall World Record
total of 877.5kg, so I was confident I could do it in competition.
I set myself targets and made sure I hit them on the day. It was
absolutely brilliant to finally break the record, as I had been close
quite a few times. My next target has just been set at 900kg! I also
think I still have more to give and want to retain my title next year.
(Over the course of a typical competition Matt will lift a total in
excess of the equivalent weight of 3 African lions!)
How much time and effort do you need to put in to keep yourself
at this top level?
It’s important to remember that you must have a balanced training
programme and prepare yourself well for competitions. About 12
weeks before I compete, I will train 4 days a week for 1½ to 2 hrs
per session. These are hard sessions, but you have to be careful to
ensure you don’t overdo it and risk injury. Also, the time outside
The bench press.
the gym is just as important. I concentrate on my diet; I have no
alcohol, and ensure I get sufficient rest.
Any myths about powerlifters you would like to dispel?
What really winds me up is that people assume I am on steroids.
They simply can’t believe that I have obtained my physique
naturally, via hard training and looking after myself. I lift in the
British Drug Free Powerlifting Association (BDFPA) and World Drug
Free Powerlifting Federation (WDFPF), which ensures that everyone
is drug tested regularly and anyone found guilty of using illegal
substances is banned for life. There is also no prize money in the
BDFPA/WDFPF and this tends to keep away the people willing to
do anything for financial reward.
Any advice for someone thinking about starting powerlifting?
Get yourself down to a good gym or powerlifting club; there are
always people on hand to help and give advice. Also, set yourself
small achievable goals at first and don’t be too ambitious. I see a lot
of novices at my gym who come down a couple of times and you
never see them again because they want to lift big weighs straight
away. I want to encourage more people into the sport and would
welcome telephone or e-mail contact from anyone.
Is there a big powerlifting following in the RAF?
Each service has its own championship and there is an inter-services
competition. Unfortunately, powerlifting is not a fully recognised
RAF sport, which is something I am working on with the RAF Sports
Board. The Army have got powerlifting recognized as a sport and
they are making very good progress with the strength and depth
of their team.
Talking about the RAF Sports Board, have they been able to help
you out financially?
I have been very fortunate to have the full backing of the RAF Sports
Board and without their financial support I would not have been
able to compete in this many world championships.
You have such a busy powerlifting schedule, do you ever find time
to relax and how?
I love spending all my spare time with my wife and children. I coach
the local football team that my young sons are in and we are all
season ticket holders at Norwich City FC. My wife also provides
me with unbelievable support and is a big part of my powerlifting
success.
Matt receiving his 11th World Title.
Final question: one of the features on the Chris Moyles Radio 1 show
is an interview with a Premiership footballer; they always ask who
their favourite member of Girls Aloud is?
Sarah Harding; I like the blondes and my wife won’t be surprised!
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