I am a 17-year-old competitive powerlifter in Grade 11 at Hirsch Lyons Girls High School. I compete under the South African Powerlifting Federation (SAPF), the national body affiliated to the International Powerlifting Federation (IPF), which develops and selects athletes to represent South Africa at continental and world level.

I am an ambassador for my sport. Since taking up powerlifting in January 2021, I have become a South African national champion, a sub-junior national record holder, and a Protea Colours recipient. I won gold and Best Lifter at the 2023 African Bench Press Championships, placed second at the 2023 World Bench Press Championships, and after winning gold and best lifter at the 2026 powerlifting championships, I have been selected to represent South Africa at the 2026 IPF World Women’s Juniors and Sub-Juniors Classic Championships at Sun City.

What makes me a rising star is how quickly I have progressed — from beginner to world silver medallist in under three years — and the fact that I am still a sub-junior, with my best years ahead of me. Away from competition, I try to live the same values my sport has taught me: I have tutored Grade 7 learners, volunteered at a soup kitchen, contributed to my school newsletter and visited the elderly in our community. I hope to show other young Jewish girls that discipline, perseverance and faith can carry them onto the world stage in whichever direction they wish to go in.

My dedication and perseverance from such a young age reflect my commitment not only to my sport, but also to being a role model who shows others that dreams are worth persisting for.

My vision for my future as a leader is to keep growing both on and off the platform. In the short term, I want to represent South Africa with pride at the 2026 IPF World Championships and continue breaking records as I move from sub-junior into the junior and senior ranks. Beyond competing, I want to use my platform to grow powerlifting among young people — especially girls — by mentoring new lifters and showing that strength sports are for everyone. My recent job shadowing with a biokineticist was based on my desire to help people in rehabilitation regain their strength and heal.

For South Africa, my vision is a country where young people are given real opportunities to discover what they are capable of. Sport taught me discipline, patience and self-belief, lessons you don’t learn in school, and I believe if more young South Africans had access to sport, mentorship and community support, it would open up enormous talent across the country. I hope to be part of a generation of young leaders who support and encourage others, and who show that South Africa produces not only champions, but also people of good character.

Over the last few years, I hope my journey has shown others what dedication can make possible. I started powerlifting in January 2021, at twelve years old, knowing nothing about the sport. With patience and hard work, that beginning grew into national titles, national records, Protea Colours and the privilege of representing South Africa on the world stage — all while still in Grade 11.

But what I hope inspires people most is not the medals — it’s the consistency behind them. Powerlifting is a sport of small, patient improvements, of showing up week after week even when progress feels slow, and of trusting the process when results take time. Balancing training with my schoolwork has taught me discipline and time management I will carry for life.

If a twelve-year-old girl can walk into a gym and, five years later, find herself representing her country, then perhaps others will believe their own dreams are within reach too. That is what I hope my story offers other young people who are told their dreams are too big.

Recreational activities

Powerlifting, Swimming, Reading