It was his first powerlifting competition but this did not worry Russell Miller because he had lifted weights all his life.
Miller (76), a retired Winton sheep farmer, was used to heavy work on the farm and has kept himself fit since retiring from the farm 17 years ago.
"If you want to be fit all your life go farming," Miller said.
"Farming is a boring, seasonal and repetitive job but it makes you fit."
Miller has continued his active life since retiring to Invercargill and has run 500 half-marathons and the Kepler Challenge seven times.
His best half-marathon time is 2hr and his fastest time for the Kepler Challenge is 10hr 30min.
But he injured his knee five years ago when helping a friend put in an outside toilet and has substituted cycling for running.
"I cycle 150km a week and reach speeds of between 30kmh and 40kmh," he said. Miller came to Dunedin to compete in cycling and thought he might as well have a crack at power lifting, as well.
"I have taught weightlifting for the last 20 years but I have never competed in the sport before," he said.
It was a good move because he won the silver medal in the over-70 class behind South Otago farmer Bruce Park.
Park (74) won the gold medal with a total score of 355kg. His squat was 115kg, bench press 70kg and dead lift 170kg.
Miller was happy with the silver medal with his score of 145kg - squat 35kg, bench press 30kg and dead lift 80kg.
Dunedin nurse Sylvia Clarkson (65), who started powerlifting three years ago to strengthen her back, won the women's over-65 63kg class with a score of 262.5kg - squat 90kg, bench press 52.5kg and dead lift 120kg.
She believes the sport is beneficial to women because it can help prevent osteoporosis.
Dunedin's Amanda Young, in the M1 grade (over age 40), gained personal-best performances in the squat (105kg), bench press (77.5kg) and the dead lift (140kg) for a personal-best total of 322.5kg when winning the gold medal.
