Dylan powers to yet another national record
Although he competes in the lightweight division, there is very little that is ‘light weight’ about Dylan Mannathoko.
The 34-year-old muscle man proved once again why he is the best in the land, smashing his own national squat record at the Jack’s Gym Ultimate Powerlifting Championships in Gaborone over the weekend.
Competing in the U/80kg category, a division he has made his own in recent years, the fired-up Francistowner ‘eased’ his way into the competition, squatting 235kg.
With the blood pumping, Mannathoko then lifted 255kg, taking the huge weight on his broad shoulders with the ease of a housewife carrying groceries to the car.
Feeling good, for his third and final lift, he went for history, setting his sights beyond the 260kg Botswana record he pulled-off at the Nationals in Jwaneng last year.
Packing an incredible 270kg onto the bar, Mannathoko managed a clean squat, needing every ounce of his strength to complete the record-breaking lift and send the small crowd wild with delight.
Truly in a league of his own, such was the ‘Fit Deals’ member’s dominance that the best his seven competitors could manage between them was 230kg!
Pocketing a paltry P2, 000 for his troubles, in a brief interview with Voice Sport, the professional powerlifter, who took up the sport in 2009, revealed he started training for the competition in January.
“Mostly I train my hamstrings, quads and glutes and never skip leg day if you want to be the best!” declared Mannathoko, whose dream is to go international and represent Botswana across the world.
“Unfortunately, powerlifting struggles a lot financially. If BNSC and our government invest in powerlifting we can go places!” adds the ambitious athlete speaking with absolute certainty.
Not one to sit around and wait for help, the gym fanatic is taking it upon himself to grow the sport code locally.
“Right now I’m personally creating a federation for powerlifting in Botswana so we can go to the next Olympics to represent BW. We do have a national team ready!”
As for the secret to his success, Mannathoko admits there is no secret, just hours of hard grind backed by steely self-belief – a formula all winners subscribe to!
“I don’t fear the weight; I become heavier than the burden. Being the best requires discipline, sweat, sacrifice, blood and tears!”
Being the best is something Mannathoko has down to his tight-fitting tee!
Held at Molapo Piazza, as well as the squat lift, the event included bench press and dead lift competitions, with action in lightweight, middleweight, heavyweight and super heavyweight divisions.
