Massey's strongest man

Massey University staff member Hayden Pritchard is now one of the strongest men in Oceania after winning the under-83kg powerlifting championships at the weekend.

Mr Pritchard, who is the performance lab manager at the School of Sport and Exercise, beat out competitors from across the region at the event in Sydney.

He set a New Zealand record with his overall total of 627.5kg while beating his personal best by 20kg.

That total was made up of lifts of 225kg in the squat (a New Zealand record), 142.5kg in the bench press (a Central Districts record and personal best), and 260kg in the deadlift (a New Zealand record).

Mr Pritchard, who completed a Bachelor of Science (Honours) last year, says he is happy with the result.

“To beat Amir Fazeli of Australia, who is a very strong lifter, was a great feeling,” he says. “It was such a close-fought contest but to come out on top by 2.5kg was very pleasing.”

He hopes to travel to the world championships in Russia from June 11-16 next year.

“I’m thankful to Central House Movers, Malcolm Rea Builder, Whitehead Accountants, DNA Nutrition and Ellea Sport for their financial support and to What a Load of Bull, Jake Campus Nutrition and the Lido for the goods and services they donated to help get my training partner Jonathan Parsons and I to the Oceania championships, but we will need to find further sponsorship to make the trip Russia.”