It is one thing to break four national records in your age group for powerlifting, but it is another thing to do it after only a year of competing.
However, it does not come as a surprise for St Francis College student Kelley.
The Melton teen puts in the hard yards – he has been in the gym non-stop; four times a week for the past few months.
Kelley said the results speak for themselves.
“It’s expected because of the training I do… my main focus has been to build strength” he said.
“It’s been going really well recently and I can see the progress. It wasn’t that much of a surprise.”
On the Sunshine Coast in August, the St Francis Catholic College student broke the Capo National Powerlifting Championships records in the 13-to-15-year-old under-100kg division for the bench press (117 kilograms), squat (170 kilograms), deadlift (220 kilograms), and total (507 kilograms).
Now, the young star has his sights set on the World Powerlifting Championships in Chicago coming up soon.
Kelley has set up a fundraiser to help him cover the range of expenses associated with overseas travel.
However, it might not be the last the US sees of the Bacchus Marsh local – he has always dreamed of playing American football.
“That’s the next thing – I’m looking to get a [college] scholarship over there,” said Kelley.
This was always the dream – powerlifting is simply a means to an end to get Kelley in the right shape for the sport.
“My mum’s friend suggested I do powerlifting… I’d always been focused on football,” he said.
“It helps out a lot.”
Donate: asf.org.au/…/help-me-lift-the-weight-of-getting…
