Mathew Gardyne, Junior Hunk, Nov 10

Mathew's rise in powerlifting started at the pub. A good story already right guys?!

Well that's pretty much how the fairytale story of how 22 year old Mathew Gardyne got into the sport of powerlifting. Mathew had always been active and trained since he was 16 but he never did anything 'serious' with his weight training - where he trains at Fat Max's Gym in Greymouth.

In March this year, the Eastside Barbell Club in Christchurch, went over to Greymouth to organise a powerlifting comp to encourage more people to participate in powerlifting.

Mathew makes
powerlifting sexy!

Mathew was one of these athletes who got talked into competing in the event which was held at the infamous Railway Hotel in Greymouth. Although he had never done an official comp before, Mathew ended up winning the event in his weight and age class.

From there he's gone from strength to strength. He cleaned up at the Canterbury Champs, won his class at the South Island Champs and placed 2nd at the Nationals in his age class and placed 4th overall in all age groups. Added to this is his selection to represent NZ at the Oceania Champs to be held in Samoa on 10 Dec. Not bad for someone who's only been in the sport for 8 months!

Mathew says he never imagined he would be representing NZ in any sport 8 months ago but says he's 'pretty proud' and says he had great support from everyone in the gym. He'll be the first athlete from Greymouth to represent in powerlifting which is a pretty big deal!

Weighing in at 82.5kg, Mathew shows talent as a natural lifter. Already he has best lifts of 130kg for bench press, 180kg for Squat and 220kg for deadlift.

Instrumental to the nurturing of Mathew's talent is his coach Mike Robertson. Mike, a former world champ powerlifter from South Africa, says what Mathew has done in the short term is quite remarkable. He's got good technique in all his lifts and his natural talent will see him go a long way.


Powerlifting requires plenty of self belief and mental focus. Watching Mike and Mathew go through their regime prior to the lifts at the South Island Bench Press Champs you can see how much trust Mathew puts into Mike's hands, and Mike's belief in Mathew's ability. "Mike makes me feel confident that I can make it so if he thinks I can then I know I can do it" . Waiting for his turn at the bench, you can see Mathew focusing on the lift ahead 'you've got to picture yourself doing it and know you can do it' he said. But the visualisation doesn't finish at the gym, Mike also tells Mathew to visualise every moment he can even while at work.

By day Mathew works as a fitter and turner. Although his work is physically tiring he still finds the energy to train ' Some days I get tired but as soon as I come to the gym my energy levels pick up. I have a goal of competing at the Oceania which keeps me motivated' he said.

Beyond the Oceania, the dynamic duo have a much greater goal of competing at the World Champs in 2011. The qualifying weight is 560kg total of the 3 lifts, Mathew's 30kg off that but we know with Mathew's work ethic and Mike's experience, they will do everything to reach that goal.

We wish them all the best in their efforts!

12 November 10

Mathew Gardyne, Junior Hunk, Nov 10

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