Jae Daly only got into weightlifting just over a year ago and now she has broken two national records and made it into the Australian Junior Squad.
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The 19-year-old junior weightlifter and personal trainer competed at the junior under 23 national championships in the 76 kilogram weight category.
To win a weightlifting competition you must have the highest total in your weight category and to win overall you need the best 'Sinclair' which is a formula used to calculate fair body weight to weights lifted ratio.
"I won the 76 kilogram weight category, I lifted a total of 181 kilograms, which was an 82 kilogram snatch and a 99 kilogram clean and jerk," she said.
"Both lifts and total broke national records."
Daly qualified for the competition earlier this year and has been aiming to qualify for the Junior Australian squad.
"This was an opportunity for that however I was three kilograms short of the needed total," she said.
But for Daly she would only have to wait another month before her dream came true.
On April 18 she lifted 184 kilograms, scoring 83/100 which was the qualifying total she needed for the Australian Junior Squad. Both of her lifts once again breaking national records.
"This change to weightlifting opened up an opportunity to move down to Sydney to pursue this dream and compete," she said.
Daly recognises that she is fairly new to the sport and has many years of experience to build up.
"I was originally planning to live down in Sydney for my Uni summer break however I really found my footing down here and loved it so I decided to stay," she said.
"I changed my degree to online part time to be able to work and train as much as I can while I have this year to still compete as a junior."
Daly said her passion for this sport was driven by the ability to always be better.
"It's very technical but also you have to be strong, I have always loved feeling strong but to be able to be strong in such a unique way is great," she said.
"I love all the parts about the spirit too, I love doing it, coaching it, watching it.
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"Even on the tough days of training there's something you can know you've done right or there's something you can do better tomorrow."
Daly said her win showed her that she is good at the sport.
"I train with two elite weightlifters so I am always looking up to them and striving to be as good as them one day," she said.
Daly said she is working towards making the Australian Squad and team.
"Obviously I want to lift as heavy as I possibly can," she said.
"The ultimate goal will be to represent Australia in the junior team internationally, COVID permitting of course, but that is why I am training day in and day out in this time."
Daly has been documenting her journey on her Instagram @jaelifting if anyone wants to stay updated with how she is going.
"Thank you to all those who are still supporting me and cheering me on," she said.
Daly was also named in the Junior Australian team last week for the Oceania Championships in August, with COVID pending.
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