Brisbane-based Indo-Fijian powerlifter Varun Lal has gone from hauling sugarcane in Ba to making headlines on the Australian powerlifting stage.
The 27-year-old, who grew up in Navau, Ba, and later moved to Australia to study civil engineering, has set a new Australian bench press record of 145kg in the 125kg Single Ply category at the 2025 CAPO National Powerlifting Championships. The previous record stood at 130kg.
Lal, who only began serious training in early 2023 under the guidance of coach Jack Welch, is now preparing to represent Australia at the World Powerlifting Championships in Durban, South Africa, this November.
“Proud to become the new Open Champion and set a national bench press record with 145kg,” Lal told RNZ after his victory.
“This one means a lot—months of discipline, sacrifice, and pure love for the sport. We’re just getting started.”
At the Brisbane championships, Lal registered 200kg in squat, 145kg in bench press, and 240kg in deadlift, cementing his place as one of Australia’s most promising new lifters.
While powerlifting was not widely known in his Fiji Indian community, Lal said it has given him a sense of belonging in Australia. “Back in Ba, football is everything. My family didn’t know much about powerlifting at first, but now they’re my biggest fans,” he said.
He credited his parents, Vimlesh Kumar and Saorjni Devi, for their unwavering support despite being thousands of kilometres away. His father, who recently recovered from a serious accident, encouraged him to continue competing for Australia.
“I know he is proud that I did something for him,” Lal said. “Their prayers keep me strong every day.”
Having debuted for Australia at the World Championships in Chicago last year, where he finished third overall in deadlift, Lal is determined to push further in Durban.
With less than three months to prepare, his focus is now on refining technique and chasing world records. “It will be a challenge, but the goal is to win gold for Australia,” he said.
Lal also hopes his journey will inspire young Pasifika athletes.
“Anyone can succeed if they put their time, focus and dedication into what they are doing.”
The 2025 WPC World Powerlifting Championships will take place in Durban, South Africa, from 4–9 November.
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