Singapore’s Farhanna Farid Triumphs with New 208kg Deadlift World Record Amidst Injuries
What’s the secret to repeatedly breaking a world record?
According to Farhanna Farid, a Singaporean powerlifter who has astonishingly set eight world records since June 2022, it’s about focusing on oneself during the match and not worrying about other competitors.
On 15 Dec, Farhanna Farid made headlines once more at the Asian Classic Powerlifting Championships in Johor Bahru by rewriting her own deadlift world record not once, but twice on the same day.
Initially, she cleared 190kg with ease.
Then, on her second attempt, she lifted an impressive 203.5kg.
But it was her final lift, a staggering 208kg, that truly showcased her extraordinary talent, setting a new world record.
What makes this feat even more remarkable is the fact that Farhanna has been managing a back injury for several months, alongside a recent knee issue.
Yet, these setbacks did not deter her.
Focus on What You Have, Instead of What You Don’t
Rather than dwelling on her limitations, she chose to focus on her strengths and adopted a conservative approach to her training.
For an athlete like Farhanna, preserving her health and not overworking herself sometimes is in fact the key to an efficient training.
She prioritised the squat and bench disciplines, being particularly cautious with her deadlifts to avoid aggravating her injury.
Prior to this event, the maximum weight she had lifted was 190kg, which was 13kg below her previous world record set at the World Open Classic Powerlifting Championships in Malta in June.
Astonishingly, she exceeded her own world record by almost 20kg, despite her injuries.
Farhanna’s primary goal was to extend her world record and deliver her best overall performance.
In an interview with The Straits Times, she expressed how significant this world record was to her, especially coming off a back injury which made her uncertain about her deadlift limits.
Farhanna’s life extends beyond weightlifting.
She balances her athletic career with coaching, participating in events organised by the local powerlifting federation.
And did you know? She’s working as a pharmacist at the same time, after earning a degree from the National University of Singapore.
Her dedication and multi-faceted involvement in the sport have earned praise from Kang Goo Young, the general secretary of Powerlifting Singapore, who commended her commitment.
Breaking a world record is no small achievement, but for Farhanna, it holds unique significance as she continually surpasses her own records year after year.
She acknowledges that the toughest challenge for her is finding the right balance between pushing herself and knowing when to hold back, aptly summarising her approach as “no more, no less.”
Farhanna’s unyielding spirit and humble desire to learn more about herself might just be the key reasons she continually challenges and surpasses her own records.
Many continue to be inspired by her not just for her athletic prowess, but for her mindset—a true embodiment of what can be termed a winning mindset.
