Weightlifting competitions in Tasmania
To those who are not aficionados, it is hard to describe the experience of participating in a Weightlifting competition and why, despite the perils of the day, it is such a thrill to be there.
On this page, photos are presented that aim to capture the essence of what it means to participate in a Weightlifting competition.
Coach and athlete confer on what will be the bar weight for the next platform attempt 
Competitors strive for technique excellence because Weightlifting requires far more than strength. Imagine how it feels to balance a heavy weight overhead as shown.
Doone became a referee in 2019 and in her first year refereed more than any other referee in Tasmania. 
The marshal’s table (bottom right) is where coaches declare the weight they want next for their athlete. 
Every competition session during the day needs loaders and three is a good number. The competition clock, seen at top right us started when the last loader has left the competition platform. 
The warm up area is a hive of activity with athletes and coaches working hard. 
All Weightlifting platforms must be 4m x 4m square under international rules of the International Weightlifting Federation. 
At the front desk adjacent to the competition platform sit three officials – the time clock operator, computer operator (with headphones) and teh announcer (not seen). 
Athletes typically have two minutes to rest between warm-up lifts. Heart rates can soar to 180 beats per minute just after a warm-up set. 
You can participate at any age. The two oldest competitors this day had an aggregate age of 138 years.