Stirling High School pupil Caitlin has achieved four national records in the T1:13-15 age category. She has also qualified to compete in the Amateur World Powerlifting Congress Nationals in 2025.
We chat to Hayden about her experience as a young female powerlifting competitor.
Q: For those who don’t know, what exactly is powerlifting and how does it differ from weightlifting?
A: Powerlifting is squat, bench and deadlift. Weightlifting is when you pick up the weight from the floor and press it up over your head.
Q: How does it feel to be recognised for your powerlifting achievements and qualifying for the AWPC nationals next year?
A: It feels so surreal, to be honest. I never thought that I would be able to do such a thing. It just reminds me that whoever you are, you can do anything as long as you put your mind to it.
Q: When and how did you first become interested in powerlifting?
A: It was around June or July when My uncle got me into it. My mom and dad both do powerlifting. My uncle suggested I try it, and I did. I was good at it, so I continued doing it.
Q: Who or what has been your biggest motivation in this journey?
A: My biggest motivation is my family. We all do powerlifting, so we’re just one big, happy family that supports each other. My friends also support me a lot when they can. If they can, they come and support me at the competitions.
Q: How do you balance powerlifting with your schoolwork and other activities?
A: I usually go to my powerlifting training every Monday and Friday morning and then I get ready for school at the gym. It is also nice because the gym is close to where I go to school. I make sure that my training doesn’t clash with my homework or my other extramural activities at school.
Q: What does a typical training session look like for you?
A: Most of my training is focused on a specific lift, so when I do bench press, I will usually work on my arms, or if I’m doing squats, I will strengthen my legs. Sometimes we will practice mobility. Some exercises make certain muscles stronger.
Q: What’s your favourite lift, and why do you enjoy it?
A: I enjoy bench press. It is easier for me. It utilises the arms and the legs. You have to use your arms and your legs to push up a heavy weight. It is also more impressive because you have to do it without standing, so you can’t balance.
Q: What challenges have you faced in this sport, and how did you overcome them?
A: The biggest challenge is the thought of a young girl such as me doing this, because its not a normal sport for a young girl to do. Every time I walk into the gym, with my powerlifting gear I get strange looks, but then I just remember that there are other girls out there doing strange sports like racecar driving. Those girls are my biggest motivation because we are making our path, I’m taking this sport, as a woman, to a place where your age or gender doesn’t matter. I am a girl; I am young, and I can do this.
Q: Do you have any goals for the future?
A: My goal is to make and break many records. I would love to go to the World Championships. When powerlifting becomes an Olympic sport, I would love to compete.
Q: What advice would you give to other young people interested in pursuing powerlifting or any sport?
A: I want to tell any other girl out there, that you can do anything. I kept thinking to myself: “I can do this”. The more positively you think, the more positive the outcome will be. Just because you are a girl, doesn’t mean you are not strong. You are powerful. Find a club or a coach because having a support group in powerlifting is important. It can be disappointing when you are unable to lift a weight, and it is also safer to have people around you. I could never have gotten this far without my family and my coach.
