Weight of the world

LEORA Yates was on top of the world when she won four gold medals for Australia at the 2017 Australian and Oceania Masters Weightlifting Championships, Pacific Rim Masters Tournament and Masters World Cup in the Gold Coast last month.
The former school teacher only transitioned into the sport recently and has been pleasantly surprised by her own standards.
“It meant a lot considering where I started from after having three children very close together and never taking time out for myself until they were older,” Yates told The AJN.
“I never really thought I lifted that heavy, even though people kept telling me I did, so when I was asked [to represent Australia] I was proud.”
The 42-year old was able to successfully lift 73kg in the Snatch category and an impressive 93k in the Clean and Jerk category to take out the 40-44 year old Female title.
Yates is now completely invested in the sport, looking to continue her strides on a global stage.
“I am aiming to compete at the IWF Masters competition in Barcelona in August and World Masters competition in China in 2018.”
The mother-of-three now owns a personal training business helping people achiever their goals. Yates is encouraging women to do what she didn’t do for so long after having her children and “take time for themselves”.
“I want to teach women that strong is good.
I want to educate and encourage women to participate in strength training.”
Yates says its important for children to be strong, and hopes her children can follow in her footsteps.
“My life has changed so much over the last few years,” she said.
“I am looking to start kids weightlifting and I am so excited at the thought of children lifting.
My own three children have been watching me compete in Crossfit and now weightlifting for years. My nine-year-old daughter loves to lift and loves being strong.”

DANIEL SHANDLER

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