Abrienda Eyes National Records At Eagll Powerlifting Classic

KUCHING, June 7 (Bernama) -- Malaysian powerlifter Abrienda Chan is aiming to rewrite the national records in the Under-57kg junior category at the Eagll Powerlifting Classic (EPC) 2026 later this month as she builds towards two major world championships next year.

The 20-year-old Sarawakian, who previously dominated the Under-52kg sub-junior division and still holds the national records in all three lifts and total for the category, sees the June 19-20 competition in Kuala Lumpur as an important stepping stone in her preparations for the international stage.

"This year is a building-up stage for me as I prepare for my goals next year. I will try to push my squat, bench press and deadlift total as high as possible while focusing on my technique.

"In powerlifting, technique is nearly everything. So this year is about improving my technique and gradually building up my numbers to allow me to achieve what I want next year," she told Bernama in a recent interview.

Abrienda said she plans to compete in the World Classic & Equipped Bench Press Championships 2027 in Istanbul, Turkiye, and the World Classic Sub-Junior & Junior Powerlifting Championships 2027 in Haining, China.

Having moved up from the Under-52kg sub-junior category to the Under-57kg junior (U57) division last year, the SBD Cup 2025 Women's Classic Under-57kg Junior champion in South Korea said the transition has already translated into noticeable gains in strength and performance.

"The biggest difference is that I feel stronger. My numbers are going up and my condition is much better than when I was competing in the 52kg category," she said.

At the EPC 2026, Abrienda will be targeting a squat of 135.5kg to surpass the current national junior record of 135kg. Her personal best in the lift stands at 125kg.

She is also aiming to become the first Malaysian junior lifter in the U57 category to deadlift more than 150kg, with a target of 150.5kg. Her current personal best is 142.5kg.

For the bench press, Abrienda has already exceeded the existing national junior record of 67.5kg with a personal best of 75kg and is looking to further improve her overall total.

The 2024 Asian Classic Powerlifting Championships gold medallist trains five times a week, with her most demanding session lasting up to four hours as she prepares for the upcoming competition and her longer-term international ambitions.

Abrienda, who was ranked 12th in the world in the Under-52kg sub-junior category in 2024, said her ultimate goal is to break into the world's top three in the Under-57kg junior division.

"I'm aiming for a world title in any form, whether it's a world top-three finish, a world record or another international record. Since I've already become an Asian champion, my next goal is to be among the best in the world," said the elder of two siblings.

Abrienda added that she hopes to eventually compete in the open division and establish herself among the world's elite powerlifters.

-- BERNAMA