{"id":27632,"date":"2026-08-23T18:02:00","date_gmt":"2026-08-23T18:02:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/worldbodybuildingnews.com\/?p=27632"},"modified":"2026-08-23T18:02:00","modified_gmt":"2026-08-23T18:02:00","slug":"on-the-up-powerlifter-sandy-stoddart-to-represent-new-zealand-at-the-oceania-powerlifting-championships-in-fiji-at-71-years-old","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/worldbodybuildingnews.com\/?p=27632","title":{"rendered":"On The Up: Powerlifter Sandy Stoddart to represent New Zealand at the Oceania Powerlifting Championships in Fiji at 71 years old"},"content":{"rendered":"


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He is now just months away from competing in his biggest competition yet.<\/p>\n

Stoddart, who spends five days a week training at Flex Fitness gym in Hastings, will represent New Zealand at the Oceania Regional Powerlifting Championships in the Masters Four under 120kg category in Fiji in November.<\/p>\n

Powerlifting is made up of three lifts: the back squat, the bench press, and the deadlift.<\/p>\n

Stoddart said each lift required him to lock in, concentrate, and remain in control.<\/p>\n

He said he holds records in the Wellington Central Powerlifting Association Masters Four under-105kg and Masters Four under-120kg categories, and recently came second at the nationals in the Masters Four under-105kg. <\/p>\n

Following that, he was encouraged to apply for the Fiji competition and was accepted.<\/p>\n

\u201cTo pull on a Silver Fern at my age for my adopted country is a fantastic honour.\u201d<\/p>\n

Stoddart wanted others to know it wasn\u2019t too late to take on a new challenge, because he was \u201cthe old dog that learned new tricks\u201d.<\/p>\n

\u201cI stopped drinking alcohol, I stopped eating processed food, pies, cakes, high-carb stuff, cut out sugar altogether and then I thought, \u2018what am I going to do for exercise?\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n

Stoddart said he wanted to be healthy, to see his grandchildren grow up.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt wasn\u2019t easy, because I love a pie and I used to like a beer.\u201d<\/p>\n

He first tried powerlifting about 12 years ago, but didn\u2019t touch it again until 2024.<\/p>\n

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\"Sandy
Sandy Stoddart hopes others will be inspired by his fitness journey and take on a new challenge no matter their age. Photo \/ Michaela Gower<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n