Miela and Andre Smit, siblings from KuGompo City, have made headlines with their impressive powerlifting achievements. At the African Congress Powerlifting Championship in Durban, they set multiple records, showcasing their strength and dedication to the sport. Miela, 18, benched 62.5kg, while Andre, 14, lifted 122.5kg, a weight equivalent to an industrial washing machine or upright piano. Their remarkable performance has earned them recognition and accolades.
Andre competed in the Teen 1 category, taking gold and setting a new world record in the over-140kg category. He stands at 1.83m tall and weighs 165kg, making him one of the heaviest teenagers in South Africa. Miela, competing in the Teen 3 category, set national records with a 125kg squat and a 145kg deadlift, and was crowned overall best teen lifter. Both siblings have been awarded South African colours for international representation.
The siblings' interest in powerlifting began at the gym, where they heard others discussing their goals and achievements in the sport. They signed up with coach Neo Pheko and have been training diligently since. Their parents, Bernard and Marijke, have been supportive of their children's passion for powerlifting, with Marijke noting that their high-protein diet is a challenge, requiring frequent grocery shopping.
The Smit family's grocery bill has increased significantly since the siblings started powerlifting. Marijke, their mother, does serious heavy lifting when it comes to grocery shopping, often visiting Checkers Sixty/60 multiple times a day. Andre's appetite is particularly voracious, consuming large quantities of food in one meal. Despite the challenges, the family remains committed to supporting the siblings' powerlifting careers.
Miela and Andre's decision to attend Stirling High School was motivated by the school's honours system, which allows pupils who earn national colours to wear a white honours blazer. The siblings have adapted well to the school's English medium, with Miela making it into the top 10 in academics within the first term. Their father, Bernard, is proud of their academic and sporting achievements.
The siblings' sporting backgrounds are diverse, with Miela having a passion for open-water swimming. Her experience in the sport has contributed to her strong shoulders, which have been an asset in powerlifting. Andre, on the other hand, has always been large for his age, and his size has been an advantage in the sport. Their parents have been emotional about their children's achievements, with Marijke describing the moment they broke records as heartwarming.
As Miela and Andre look to the future, they are focused on pushing themselves harder and competing at an international level. Miela's immediate priority is her matric finals, which will determine her eligibility to study medical technology and become a clinical perfusionist. Andre's ambitions are more typical of a teenage boy, with a love for gaming, rugby, and sport. With their records and achievements, the Smit siblings are an inspiration to young athletes in South Africa.
Key points
- Miela and Andre Smit set multiple powerlifting records at the African Congress Powerlifting Championship in Durban.
- The siblings have been awarded South African colours for international representation and earned a coveted school wardrobe upgrade.
- Miela and Andre's powerlifting achievements have brought attention to the sport, and they are an inspiration to young athletes in South Africa.
