Storer raises bar in titles lead-up

SINCE he took up weightlifting a decade ago, Bendigo athlete Sam Storer has racked up hundreds of hours developing his skills and helping others pursue their goals.

Storer’s work will be rewarded when he competes at the Victorian Country Championships in Geelong on February 1.

He will be joined by Growl Weightlifting clubmates Justin Hargreaves, 79kg, and Alex Greening, 99kg, who will compete in the 40-44 years class.

From a backyard shed the Growl team works on competition lifts of clean and jerk, and snatch.

Storer usually competes in 81kg class, but a change to divisions means he will move to 79kg this year.

Flex technology by Gym Aware plays a big part in training.

“Flex measures maximum intent from rep to rep,” Storer said.

“Weightlifting movements such as power clean, snatch pulls can help rate of force development and measures how quickly you can take the weight from from dead stop to peak force.

“There is real-time feedback on average velocity, peak power, and the speed of the bar,” Storer said.

“The lifts we do really test leg and core strength.

“Weightlifting can help increase power and speed, especially for sprinting and field events.

“Like many sports a personal best, a season best, or both is a great way to measure success.”

Storer said weightlifting had taught him about pain tolerance and pushing beyond his limit when he thought he could not.

Two key coaches in his weightlifting journey have been Kim Stevens at Crossfit Dauntless and the legendary Paul Coffa.

“They taught me a lot about aiming for personal bests, higher reps, and never giving up.”

Storer is one of more than 540 athletes that Coffa has coached.

Coffa was the first coach to be inducted to the International Weightlifting Federation Hall of Fame.

The Coffa-coached Dean Lukin, a tuna fisherman from Port Lincoln achieved a 240kg lift in the clean and jerk to strike gold at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics.

In recent years, Storer has taken to field and track for Eaglehawk in Athletics Victoria Shield League and Victoria Country championships.

“Run, jump and throw are all about testing speed and strength.”

On the Australia day weekend the Eaglehawk Athletics Club will be on home turf at Lar Birpa in Flora Hill as Bendigo hosts the Victoria Country field and track titles.

Storer will give his all in various discipines for the mighty Borough.