Yesterday saw the first-ever NZGSA North Island Championships hosted by Crossfit Manukau and the Auckland Kettlebell Club. Here is the summary of the day from AKC’s Tam Ewing, the North Island rep for NZGSA:
First on the platform were Mary and Tamra, Mary with 12kg snatch and Tamra trying out 12kg double bells. Mary is new to kettlebells and had quickly worked her way up to lasting 10 mins with the 8kg bell, the 10kg bell, and today was her first attempt with the 12kg. She paced herself well and lasted the full 10 mins with 119 reps. This was also Tamra’s first attempt at lasting 10 mins and she got through with steady pacing until the last minute but was very satisfied with making 86 reps.
Then it was Vaughan and Pen head to head with the 20kg bells. Training had been a bit sporadic for both so how they would go was a real unknown for everyone. Both started strong but for Pen it was all over at 25 reps after giving it his best and Vaughan battled on to make it to 51 reps.
Chris and Paul were next up, both first-timers on the platform and giving it a go with 12kgs. Both put in an impressive performance – Paul making it clear to everyone that despite his lack of technique he was simply too strong for the 12kg bells after he climbed to 109 reps. Chris realising too late that he’d paced himself too slowly so actually got faster in the last 3 minutes to gain 76 reps.
Ian and Pidge then had their 10 min set, Ian a first-timer with 12kgs and Pidge trying out the 14kg bells. Great effort from both, Pidge not making it to 10 mins but still gaining 69 reps and Ian put in a massive effort and lasted the 10 mins to get 76 reps and won our good-humoured award for ‘ugliest technique but biggest heart’.
Finally it was women’s longcycle. Gayle, now getting familiar with competitions was aiming to significantly better her score in the Nelson comp with the 16kg bell which she did with a very respectable 86 reps and consistently tidy technique. Minnie, a first-time lifter and lightweight, had been convinced to try 10kg which she pulled off with great determination to last 10 mins and score 74 reps.
Congratulations to the Overall Winners of Men’s and Women’s Long Cycle:
Men’s
- Paul Bebelman
- Vaughan Hibbert
- Paul Hibbert
Women’s
- Gayle Andrews
- Minnie Golledge
Special mention to Tamra Ewing for completing her first set with double 12kg kettlebells and to Mary Caffin for her first 10 min set with 12kg Snatch.
Next up is the South Island Champs next Sat Aug 22nd!
