Invercargill can lay claim to having a world champion powerlifter in its midst.

Andy Mahon is the reigning world champion in the Master One (M1) under 105kg division following the World Classic Powerlifting Championships in Helsingborg, Sweden last month.

He lifted a combined total of more than 800kg, a personal best.

“I was pretty stoked really,” Mahon said.

“I couldn’t be happier with the result.”

He won gold on his second dead lift and tried for the world record for his division of 810kg, narrowly missing the mark.

“I nearly got it. I was so close, but never mind, it wasn’t quite there.”

Aitor Lapena-Gutierrez, of the United States of America, placed second lifting 792.5kg, and Maksim Pikaliuk, of Russia, was awarded bronze with a combined lift of 790kg.

Southland powerlifter Angus McKay competes at the World Classic Powerlifting Championships in Sweden last month. Photo: Supplied
Mahon and fellow Southland powerlifter Angus McKay, both members of the Southern

Strength Powerlifting Club, represented New Zealand at the world championships.

They were the only Southlanders in the 14-strong New Zealand team.Junior champ

McKay lifted a combined total of 705kg, placing him eighth in the world in the junior under 105kg class.

This was McKay’s first international competition.

With only four years experience competing in the sport, McKay took out a junior New Zealand championship title last year.

The pair thanked ILT Foundation and Community Trust South for its support.

Credit: Southland Express