Making a mark

5th September 2008

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GYMPIE State High School student Jorra Singh is making a big impact in the sport of bench pressing despite only recently taking up the sport competitively.

Singh, 15, decided last year he would enter competitions, but it was not until April this year he received his chance when he travelled to Brisbane.

While it was Singh's first competition, approaching it as a chance to learn about the sport, he surprised himself when he walked away with a gold medal and the title of North Queensland Champion.

"It felt great to do so well on my first go and really gave me encouragement," he said.

In fact, his first effort in competition was so successful he set a new Queensland bench pressing record in the 67-75kg weight division.

However, the record does not stand in the record books owing to a small technical issue the bar brushed his shirt during the lift, making it unofficial.

It was this initial success that caught the attention of Paul Frampton from the Cooloola Fitness Centre, who saw Singh training hard during a school-based activity.

Frampton noticed the potential in Singh and offered his support as plans were laid for another event being staged in Brisbane.

"He's a good kid with a great attitude towards his training, and he has a lot of natural ability," he said.

Singh went into the competition in August with measured confidence after his initial win and set his sights on lifting 85kg. The other competitors, meanwhile, started with a weight of 75kg.

Singh failed on his first two attempts to lift his chosen weight, attracting laughter from his fellow competitors.

But he channelled their ridicule and on his third and final attempt, he lifted the weight and, in the process, earned himself his second gold medal.

It was a sweet moment of revenge for Singh given the knowledge his nearest competitor could only manage 77kg.

"I look forward to seeing where I can go from here," he said.