Ricardo Fitzpatrick adds another international gold to his collection

KIMBERLEY’S own powerlifting powerhouse, Ricardo Fitzpatrick, has added another gold medal to his collection at the recently concluded second Asia/Pacific/Africa Classic and Equipped Powerlifting and Bench Press Championships.

Held from July 4-13, this prestigious event saw participation from 11 countries, with a total of 151 competitors showcasing their strength and determination.

The championships, sanctioned by the International Powerlifting Federation (IPF), featured four main events: the classic and equipped bench press and the classic and equipped powerlifting. To ensure the legitimacy of any records set, international referees and a three-person jury, also comprising international referees, oversaw the competition.

Ricardo competed in the 83 kilogramme division, where he not only secured a gold medal but was also declared the third-best in his division’s Master 1 class. His outstanding performance earned him the title of Asian Pacific African Bench Press Champion, a significant milestone in his powerlifting career.

The South African team, consisting of 73 lifters – 45 male and 28 female – across various age categories (sub junior, junior, open, master 1, master 2, master 3, master 4, and special Olympics), also made a strong impression.

They set 43 South African national records, 35 Commonwealth records, and 154 African records, with 19 athletes being awarded Best Lifter Trophies.

Ricardo expressed his pride in representing his country and described the event as world-class.

“It was an incredible experience where powerlifters brought their A-game to showcase their strength,” he told the DFA. However, he also voiced his concerns about the lack of recognition and support from the Northern Cape Department of Sports, Arts, and Culture (NCDSAC).

“The last time the Northern Cape South African Powerlifting Team had an official send-off was in 2003 for the All Africa Games in Abuja, Nigeria.

“I managed to get financial support from NCDSAC for the 2023 African Bench Press Championships, for which I am grateful. But since then, despite claiming two additional international bench press titles and setting African bench press records, there has been little acknowledgment of my achievements,” he concluded.

Looking ahead, Ricardo is gearing up for his next challenge: the Commonwealth Bench Press Championships in Sun City this October. With his recent success in Potchefstroom, he is determined to continue making his mark on the international stage and bringing pride to his hometown of Kimberley.