‘It means everything’
Depass glowing after powerlifting World Championship experience
Published:Sunday | June 18, 2023 | 1:43 AMDaniel Wheeler - Staff Reporter
WHILE HER journey into powerlifting may have come by accident, two-time national champion, Sami Depass, says that she has relished her experience in her first World Championship competition and is eager to see where it takes her.
Depass finished seventh overall in the 75kg class during the World Classic Open Powerlifting Championships held in Malta, which closes today. While she finished seventh, she topped her group with 16 competitors and her overall finish was among a total complement of 25 competitors. It has been a rapid rise for Depass who got into the sport by chance.
“Honestly, I didn’t know much about powerlifting when I began the journey of getting strong in the gym. I stumbled into it at my college gym by accident and it has been my passion ever since. I’ve only been doing this for four years and yet it seems far longer. Four years in the powerlifting world is nothing but I feel as if I have improved year after year,” Depass told The Sunday Gleaner.
EMOTIONAL
“I’m feeling very emotional that I was able to deliver on all of the goals that I had set when I came here.”
Her improvement has seen her claim the National Powerlifting Association of Jamaica (NPAJ) national titles in 2021 and 2022, as well as the North American Powerlifting Federation 76kg title in Panama last year. In her first World Championship appearance, she not only set a national record in the squat, hoisting 195kg, but also one in the bench press, finishing third in the section with 110kg, and again in the deadlift, hoisting 227.5kg.
Depass said that having the opportunity to compete on the world stage is not only a memorable experience but one that sets the course for what is possible.
“It means everything to get to compete on the world stage. It’s the accumulation of hours, days, months and years of hard work and it presents a new and interesting challenge. Getting to compete with people far above your level forces you to level up and get out of your comfort zone,” Depass said.
While it has been a short time in the sport, Depass says she is looking forward to continuing her growth.
“I am beyond excited to see where this takes me and I am grateful to be challenged and amongst so many great competitors. Getting out of my comfort zone will force me to grow beyond what I think I can do.”