Faith Lehmensich shatters 16-year-old deadlift record at Powerlifting World Championships

Cape Town-based athlete Faith Lehmensich broke a 16-year deadlift world record in the under-23 division at the WPC World Powerlifting Championships, winning gold in her under-48kg weight class.

The 23-year-old shattered the long-standing record in the under-48kg division by lifting 126kg, surpassing the previous record of 125.5kg.

Breaking the Record on the World Stage

Recounting her experience at the World Championships in Durban, Lehmensich spoke to Eyewitness News about the immense pride she felt representing South Africa.

"I competed at 9 am in the morning. It was honestly one of the first comps that I've done where I didn't feel nervous, considering I was competing on the world stage. It was one of the most amazing feelings I've ever felt in my life to represent my country, wearing my South African singlet... It was the most proudest moment of my life."

The emotion of the achievement was palpable: "I was like, I can't believe I finally broke that. I dropped down to the floor on my knees, crying."

Lehmensich added that achieving the record on the international stage felt especially significant.

"I never thought that I would get to that point in powerlifting, but it was just everything that I hoped and dreamed it would be, and to have broken a world record deadlift that has stood for quite a long time was also the most, most amazing feeling in the world, because I've been trying to get that deadlift with two national comps now, and I finally get it on the world stage where it mattered the most.”

Lehmensich began powerlifting at the age of 15. She initially went to the gym to lose weight, weighing approximately 60kg or 65 kg at a height of about 1.57m. Her father’s friend, Uncle Jared, suggested she try powerlifting to help her get in shape.

Focus on Mental Health and Fitness

The world record breaker also spoke about her struggles with mental health and fitness, emphasising the gym and supplements as tools for self-care.

She explained that she struggled with anxiety and self-doubt in competitions: "I struggled a lot with that in the beginning and would get really nervous for competitions... when I didn't do something right, I would beat myself up for it."

She found solace and coping mechanisms in training.

“But to be honest, I deal with it in the gym. I put on my headphones, and I blank out everything I do. The training helps me. I do. I take a lot of supplements that really do help me as well, but mainly with my mental health. I eat a lot of food that really helps me feel good, to be honest, but mainly importantly, it's just believing in yourself and knowing that you know, mental health is something that's a challenge for most people."

Lehmensich currently holds multiple national and world records, including an under-48kg world record squat and deadlift. As this year was her last time competing as a junior, she now looks forward to competing in the senior category and aims to continue breaking records.