Ielja Strik

Ielja Strik (Cuijk, 25 March 1973), is a Dutch powerlifter and a former gymnast and bodybuilder.

Contents

Biography

Strik started gymnastics when she was five years old and practiced this for around 15 years, attaining a reasonably high domestic level. After her build changed she decided that perhaps fitness suited her better as a sport, quickly changing to bodybuilding. After a number of successes Strik started powerlifting in 2001. Quickly it turned out she possessed quite some strength and after a month of practicing the sport she entered the Dutch championships. Strik was immediately asked to join the Dutch selection.

Strik has a personal preference for bench press and competes in this sport next to her powerlift competitions. In 2006 she broke the world record bench press, attaining a result of 182,5 kg. On 14 March 2010 she improved on her world record by half a kilogram to clear 183 kg. From 2004 up to and including 2007 she was both European and World record holder in bench pressing.

In powerlifting she attained the world record in both 2006 and 2007 with 3 gold medals each. Strik competes in the class up to 90 kg. The world record bench press for women above 90 kg was improved in 2010 by the Russian Irina Lugovaya, who pushed 205 kg, unheard of for a woman before then. At these same championships the Dutch Joanne Schaefer attained a short-lived world record of 202.5 kg. For competitors up to 90 kg, Strik still holds the world record with her result of 183 kg.

Through the years Strik had many trainers and coaches of whom she's very grateful, by her own account.[1]

Ten selected results

Year Championship Body weight Squat Bench press Dead lift Total weight Result
2009 European championship Powerlifting -90 kg 255 165 220 640 (kg) 1st
2009 Dutch championship Powerlifting -90 kg 260* 172,5 232,5 665* 1st
2008 West-European championship Powerlifting -90 kg 255 172,5 230 657,5 1st
2005 World championship Powerlifting -82,5 kg 235 155 215 605 2nd
2004 Dutch championship Powerlifting -82,5 kg 240 150 215 605 1st
Year Championship Bodyweight Bench press Result
2010 Dutch championship bench press -90 kg 183 1st new world record
2008 World championship bench press -90 kg 172,5 + 172,5 1st
2008 "Arnold Classic" -90 kg 182,5 encore of world record 182,5 kg
2006 West-European championship powerlifting -90 kg 182,5 world record
2004 World championships bench press -90 kg 150 + 150 1st

External links/sources

References