Hilma Nalupe
Namibian powerlifter Phillipus Shangadi did the country proud when he competed at the World Powerlifting Championship held from 22 to 26 October in Santa Catarina, Brazil, where he delivered a strong performance to finish third overall in his category.
Competing among some of the best lifters from across the globe, Shangadi described the event as an eye-opening and inspiring experience that tested his mental and physical limits.
“The competition was incredible, the level of talent was world class and sharing the platform with some of the strongest lifters from around the world was a great experience. It really pushed me to give my best,” he said.
Shangadi’s performance included a third-place finish overall in powerlifting raw and a second-place finish in the biceps curl, culminating in an overall third-place performance.
It was his first time competing under full powerlifting conditions, which required him to adjust to unfamiliar equipment and formats such as the mono squat system. Despite these challenges, he powered through to secure a place on the podium, a proud moment not just for him, but for Namibia’s growing powerlifting community.
“The highlight for me was definitely standing on that podium, seeing the Namibian flag up there. It reminded me that even coming from Namibia, where powerlifting is still growing, we can compete with the best in the world,” Shangadi said.
Although he narrowly missed out on a chance to break a world record due to timing issues, his determination and grit earned him widespread respect from competitors and officials alike.
Shangadi’s success in Brazil marks a major milestone for Namibian powerlifting and serves as inspiration for aspiring athletes to pursue the sport with dedication and pride.