RPC-Southern Gauteng

Dear Lifting Family....

This year I wish to start off with a clear picture and a clear vision of where we are.

Off the bat, I think people are really bored and create rumours for their own amusement. This post is to encompass that and hopefully squash these rumours.

Powerlifting is a hobby sport. In other words, its not a sport you can compete in and live off your winnings. As a federation, it usually costs more money than you make to host a proper comp.

With that in mind I wish to address the unneccesary politics and the rumours that go with the sport in South Africa from my point of view/opinion.

1) As president of RPC I don't care where lifters compete, as long as they compete. Powerlifting is a beautiful sport being made ugly with the politics of a rumour saying the opposite of this.
RPC and WPC, in my mind, are not opposing federations but rather federations with different goals. In this way the needs of every lifter is addressed and the freedom to do as you see fit is not only given but supported.
As Badger head coach I have gone out of my way to support any and all lifting and I do not care where my athletes wish to compete, as long as they give their best.

2) Judging a federation because of individuals.
If my neighbour belongs to federation A and I belong to federation B and he is a dick and throws his garbage over my wall, its not the fault of federation A but rather the individual that is a bit of a tool.
We don't have to like each other, but we do have to get along. Powerlifting is a niche sport and our sport is essentially the supporting exercises for other sports. We do not have many competing athletes, so running around disrespecting federations because you have an issue with a person in that federation is juvenile (social media will ban me for using the words I am thinking).

3) The general actions of individuals
Arguing over which federation is where is like two fleas arguing over who owns the dog. South Africa has, maybe, 1000 competitive powerlifters and 60 million odd people. Its a pointless and worthless argument.
Squat, bench and deadlift and do it where you see fit. And if you feel you wish to say something negative, step back and rethink yourself. The world is a colourful place because everyone is so different. Let everyone like what they wish to like, just like you like what you like.

4) There is a tendancy to think that RPC wishes to appear aloof or "better than everyone". This is not the case.
RPC has a vision of creating a super competitive environment geared towards lifters wishing to eventually compete at a Kern open etc. The idea is to get lifters used to calculating scores on the fly, to get used to the pressure that goes with that kind of competition.
The only way to achieve that kind of vibe is by doing what we are doing: less categories and slightly tougher standards. But we have left all the qualifying fields and records traditional.
This does not mean we practice exclusion to facilitate this. We have always tried to host competitions to cater for everyone and have never purposefully tried to make anyone feel excluded.
Just because our vision is different it does not mean we disagree with everyone else's. Quite the contrary. The many different outlooks make it possible for us to chase our vision and we appreciate it.

Each one of us is blessed and able to compete in a sport that changes lives and blesses the athlete with discipline and tenacity.
Bury the bu****it and appreciate the sport for what it is.

Thanks
Martin

⚔️🛡🥷👊🏼👊🏿

Athletes have trained to their maximum
Focused and prepared for WAR
Gonna be an EPIC BATTLE

Current best lifts in a sanctioned meet:
Best squat: 430kg
Best benchpress: 245kg
Best deadlift: 390kg
Best total: 1052.5kg

Self-represented and self-coached powerlifter competing in both GPC, RPC and WPC. Actively competing the last 6 years in which He's done 10 competitions (9 local and 1 international) in which he won all 9 local comps and walked away as male lifter of the day, placing a close 2nd on the international stage.

Sitting with 10x WPC national records, 5x RPC national records & 9x unofficial world records. Also placed 2nd in the ABS Pro Series V which is a world class event with special invite lifters from all over the globe

Occasionally dabbling in NPC/IFBB bodybuilding shows inwhich he took overalls in he's most previous show, September 2022, NPC Icandy Classic. (Ladies, we have some eye candy).

He is also an academic and researcher per several degrees: boasting with a BSc degree in both Microbiology and Zoology, a BSc Hons degree in biogas production and a MSc degree in Molecular biology & emerging infectious diseases.

Nic says: "I'm not necessarily here for the total, but more to just enjoy lifting, and I enjoy lifting heavy, so it all complements each other"

We proud to have you on board Nic.
Rhino Powerlifting Club

Work is in progress for RPC-Secondaries Competition.
Much effort and funds has gone into creating this space for the lifting community which will be utilized for future lifting events in the South of Johannesburg...