Lev Susany
 Lev at the 2010 National Powerlifting Championships. | |
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Nationality |
 Australia |
| Born |
19 November 1988 Brisbane, Australia |
| Height | 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m) |
| Weight | 88 kg (194 lb) |
| Sport | |
| Sport | Powerlifting |
| Medal record | ||
|---|---|---|
| Competitor for Australia
| ||
| Men's powerlifting | ||
| Silver | 2014 Asia & Oceania Championships | 93 kg division |
| Gold | 2013 Commonwealth Championships | 83 kg division |
| Gold | 2013 Oceania Championships | 83 kg division |
| Gold | 2012 Oceania Championships | 83 kg division |
| Gold | 2011 Commonwealth Championships | 74 kg division |
| Gold | 2010 Oceania Championships | 75 kg division |
| Gold | 2010 National Championships | 75 kg division |
Lev Susany (born 19 November 1988) is an Australian powerlifter who competes in the International Powerlifting Federation (IPF). In 2011, Susany was the number 1 ranked raw junior powerlifter in the world in the men's 74 kg division. In 2012 and 2013, Susany was the number 3 ranked raw bench press lifter in the world in the men’s 83kg division. Susany holds numerous National, Oceania and Commonwealth records, and has the highest recorded bench press in his weight division at National, Oceania and Commonwealth level. He has won National, Oceania and Commonwealth Powerlifting Championships. As of 2014, Susany has broken a total of 33 powerlifting records (7 Commonwealth, 10 Oceania and 16 Australian records) over three weight classes (74kg, 83kg and 93kg). He has been awarded Sportsman of the Year at both The University of Queensland in 2012 whilst completing his Bachelor’s degree, and at the Queensland University of Technology in 2014 whilst completing his Master’s degree.
Early life
Susany was born in Brisbane, Australia. He attended The Kooralbyn International School during his early years, with the school’s sporting alumni including Cathy Freeman and Adam Scott. Susany developed a passion for sport at an early age, mainly in sprinting and long-distance running. He was a competitive sprinter during his primary school years and won numerous regional titles.
Susany later attended high school at Marist College Ashgrove. It was there that he developed a passion for basketball and rugby union, playing both sports throughout his high school years. Whilst at Marist, Susany was Dux of Japanese and chess captain.
After graduating from high school, Susany enlisted in the Australian Defence Force (ADF) as a combat engineer. He served three years in the Defence Force before discharging to focus on his university studies.
Powerlifting
Susany is a member of the Australian Powerlifting Team and earned his first international representative honours in February 2010 when he was selected to compete at the Oceania Bench Press Championships in New Zealand.
Susany competed at the State Titles in March 2010 where he won gold and broke the National Junior bench press record with a lift of 170 kg. In July 2010 he competed in Melbourne at the National Open Powerlifting and Bench Press Championships, winning gold in the 75 kg men's division.
In December 2010, Susany represented Australia at the Oceania Powerlifting and Bench Press Championships in Samoa. He won gold in the men's 75 kg division and also officially broke the Oceania and Commonwealth junior bench press record with a lift of 168 kg.
2011 Commonwealth Powerlifting Championships and Number 1 World Ranking
| Medal record | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2011 Commonwealth Powerlifting Championships | ||
| Competitor for Australia
| ||
| Men's 74 kg division | ||
| Gold | Squat | 175kg |
| Gold | Bench press | 155.5kg (CR) |
| Gold | Deadlift | 210kg |
| Gold | Total | 540.5kg |
| Gold | Bench press only | 147.5kg |
In 2011, Susany won the Commonwealth Powerlifting Championships and became the number 1 ranked raw junior powerlifter in the world in the men’s 74 kg division. Susany began 2011 as the number 1 ranked raw junior powerlifter in Australia, Oceania and the Commonwealth. He competed in his first competition of 2011 in October, with a 172.5 kg squat, 147.5 kg bench press, 235 kg deadlift, and 555 kg total in the men’s 74 kg division. All of his lifts broke the current National Junior raw records in the men’s 74 kg division, making Susany the first lifter in Australia to hold all 4 junior records in the same weight class. His lift of 147.5 kg also broke the National Open raw bench press record in the men’s 74 kg division, making Susany the first lifter in Australia to hold an Open record whilst still being a Junior lifter.
Susany competed in his second competition of 2011 in November, opting to compete only in the bench press. He bench pressed 160 kg in the men’s 83 kg division at a body weight of 78.70 kg. His lift broke the current National Junior raw bench press record in the men’s 83 kg division, and also made Susany the first powerlifter in Australia to hold National Junior raw records in two different weight classes – 74 kg division and 83 kg division. This resulted in Susany holding 5 National Junior raw records at the same time.
In December 2011, Susany represented Australia at the Commonwealth Powerlifting and Bench Press Championships in Bournemouth, England. He was selected to compete in two separate events over the four days of competition (15–18 December): raw powerlifting and raw bench press only. On the first day of competition, Susany competed at a body weight of 73.3 kg in the Junior raw powerlifting event, squatting 175 kg, bench pressing 155.5 kg, deadlifting 210 kg and totalling 540.5 kg. With these lifts, Susany won 4 gold medals and became the Commonwealth Powerlifting Champion in the Junior men’s 74 kg division. His bench press of 155.5 kg broke a total of 9 records - 2 National records, 4 Oceania records and 3 Commonwealth records.
On the final day of competition, Susany competed at a body weight of 73.8 kg in the Junior raw bench press only event. Susany bench pressed 147.5 kg, which won him the gold medal and made him the Commonwealth Bench Press Champion in the Junior Men’s 74 kg division.
At the Championships’ presentation dinner, Susany was awarded the Wilks best bench press lifter trophy for his bench press of 155.5 kg at a body weight of 73.7 kg – a Wilks score of 112.62. The Wilks trophy is awarded to the best bench press lifter after comparing the best bench press lifts of all competitors from every weight class and age division; it is the highest accolade at any international powerlifting competition.
At the completion of the 2011 Commonwealth Powerlifting Championships, Susany achieved the following: five gold medals; nine records for his 155.5 kg bench press; two titles – 2011 Commonwealth Raw Powerlifting Champion and 2011 Commonwealth Raw Bench Press Champion; Wilks best bench press lifter trophy; and number 1 junior world ranking in the men’s 74 kg division.
At the end of December 2011, the IPF released the 2011 World Raw Powerlifting Rankings. Susany attained the following rankings: the number 1 ranked Junior powerlifter in the world in the men’s 74 kg division; the number 1 ranked Junior and Open bench press lifter in the world in the men’s 74 kg division; and the overall number 1 ranked Australian powerlifter and bench press lifter in the world.
2012 Oceania Powerlifting Championships and Number 3 World Ranking
| Medal record | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2012 Oceania Powerlifting Championships | ||
| Competitor for Australia
| ||
| Men's 83 kg division | ||
| Gold | Bench press | 178kg (CR) |
On 12 August 2012, Susany competed at The University of Queensland Winter Powerlifting Competition where he broke the Australian Open Men's bench press record in the 83 kg weight division twice with his lifts of 175.5 kg and 176.5 kg. His bench press lift of 176.5 kg at a body weight of 81.60 kg (2.16 times his body weight) made him the kilo-for-kilo strongest bench presser in both Australia and Oceania, as well as ranking him 3rd in the world.
In December 2012, Susany represented Australia at the Oceania Powerlifting and Bench Press Championships in Sydney, Australia. Susany competed in the Open raw bench press only event at a body weight of 82.4 kg. With his first attempt, Susany bench pressed 170kg, which broke the Open Men’s Oceania and Commonwealth bench press records in the men’s 83kg division. With his second attempt, Susany bench pressed 178kg, which broke his own National, Oceania and Commonwealth bench press record. With his third and final lift, Susany attempted 180kg, but he was unable to complete the lift. With these lifts, Susany won a gold medal and became the Oceania Powerlifting Bench Press Champion in the Open men’s 83kg division. His bench press of 178kg broke a total of 3 Open men’s records – one National, one Oceania and one Commonwealth record.
At the end of December 2012, the IPF released the 2012 World Raw Powerlifting Rankings. Susany attained the following ranking: the number 3 ranked Open bench press lifter in the world in the men’s 83 kg division. Susany also finished the year as the number 1 ranked Open men’s bench press lifter at National, Oceania and Commonwealth level.
2013 Commonwealth and Oceania Powerlifting Championships and Number 3 World Ranking
| Medal record | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2013 Commonwealth and Oceania Powerlifting Championships | ||
| Competitor for Australia
| ||
| Men's 83 kg division | ||
| Gold | Bench press (Commonwealth Champs) | 184kg |
| Gold | Bench press only (Commonwealth Champs) | 183.5kg (CR/OR) |
| Gold | Bench press only (Oceania Champs) | 183.5kg (CR/OR) |
In 2013, Susany was selected in the Queensland University of Technology (QUT) Elite Athlete Program. On 10 August 2013, Susany competed at the Strength Sports Challenge where he broke the Australian Open Men’s bench press record in the 83kg weight division with his lift of 180kg. His bench press lift of 180kg at a body weight of 82.9kg (2.17 times his body weight) made him the kilo-for-kilo strongest bench presser in both Australia and Oceania, as well as ranking him 3rd in the world.
In December 2013, Susany represented Australia at the Commonwealth and Oceania Powerlifting and Bench Press Championships in Auckland, New Zealand. He was selected to compete in three separate events over the five days of competition (4–8 December): Commonwealth raw powerlifting; Commonwealth raw bench press; and Oceania raw bench press. On the second day of competition, Susany competed at a body weight of 82.15kg in both the Commonwealth and Oceania Open bench press only event. He bench pressed 183.5kg for a new Commonwealth, Oceania and Australian bench press record in the Open Men’s 83kg division, as well as winning two gold medals – one Oceania gold medal and one Commonwealth gold medal.
On the third day of competition, Susany competed at a body weight of 82.3kg in the Commonwealth Powerlifting event. He bench pressed 184kg for a new Australian Open bench press record in the Open Men’s 83kg division, as well as winning one Commonwealth gold medal.
At the Championships’ presentation dinner, Susany was the runner-up of the Wilks best bench press lifter trophy for his bench press of 183.5 kg at a body weight of 82.15kg – a Wilks score of 123.24. The Wilks trophy is awarded to the best bench press lifter after comparing the best bench press lifts of all competitors from every weight class and age division; it is the highest accolade at any international powerlifting competition.
At the completion of the 2013 Commonwealth and Oceania Powerlifting Championships, Susany achieved the following: three gold medals; three records for his 183.5 kg bench press (one Commonwealth, one Oceania and one Australian record); one record for his 184kg bench press (Australian record); two titles – 2013 Commonwealth Raw Bench Press Champion and 2013 Oceania Raw Bench Press Champion; runner-up of the Wilks best bench press lifter trophy; and number 3 open bench press ranking in the world Open men’s 83kg division.
At the end of December 2013, the IPF released the 2013 World Raw Powerlifting Rankings. Susany attained the following ranking: the number 3 ranked Open bench press lifter in the world in the men’s 83 kg division. Susany also finished the year as the number 1 ranked Open men’s bench press lifter at National and Oceania level, and the number 2 ranked at Commonwealth level.
2014 Asia & Oceania Powerlifting Championships
| Medal record | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2014 Asia & Oceania Powerlifting Championships | ||
| Competitor for Australia
| ||
| Men's 93 kg division | ||
| Silver | Bench press (Oceania Champs) | 193kg (CR/OR) |
| Bronze | Bench press (Combined Asia & Oceania Champs) | 193kg (CR/OR) |
In 2014, Susany continued his involvement in the QUT Elite Athlete Program. On 3 May 2014, Susany competed at the University of Queensland Challenge where he broke the Australian Open Men’s bench press record in the 93kg weight division with his lift of 195.5kg. His bench press lift of 195.5kg at a body weight of 91.8kg (2.13 times his body weight) made him the kilo-for-kilo strongest bench presser in Australia, as well as ranking him 3rd in the world. His lift also made him the first and still the only powerlifter to break Australian Open records across three different weight classes (74kg, 83kg and 93kg).
In December 2014, Susany represented Australia at the Asia & Oceania Powerlifting and Bench Press Championships in Melbourne, Australia. He was selected to compete in two events over the eight days of competition (7–14 December): Combined Asia/Oceania raw bench press; and Oceania raw bench press. On the third day of competition, Susany competed at a body weight of 92.25kg in both the combined Asia/Oceania raw bench press and Oceania Open bench press event. He bench pressed 193kg for a new Commonwealth and Oceania bench press record in the Open Men’s 93kg division, as well as winning two medals – one Oceania silver medal and one Asia/Oceania bronze medal. His lift of 193kg also made him the first and still the only powerlifter to break Australian, Oceania and Commonwealth Open records across three different weight classes (74kg, 83kg and 93kg). His lift also made it the 4th consecutive year in which Susany has been the number 1 ranked Open bench press lifter in Australia in his weight class.
Awards & Recognition
In May 2012, Susany attended the annual University of Queensland Sport Club and Sports Awards, where he was rewarded for his sporting achievements by being selected as Sportsman of the Year.
In November 2012, Susany attended The University of Queensland Blues Awards Dinner, where he was rewarded for his sporting achievements in 2011 by being selected as a recipient of a full Blues Award - the highest sporting accolade a University of Queensland athlete can receive.
In October 2013, Susany attended the QUT Elite Athlete Awards Night where he was rewarded for his sporting achievements in 2013 by being selected as a recipient of an Australian representative award.
In October 2014, Susany attended the QUT Elite Athlete Awards Night where he was rewarded for his sporting achievements in 2014 by being selected as the QUT Elite Athlete of the Year and a recipient of an Australian representative award. By winning the QUT Elite Athlete of the Year Award, Susany has now won the highest sporting accolade at both The University of Queensland (2012) and the Queensland University of Technology (2014).
Rankings
2014
#4 World IPF Bench Press Ranking - Open Men's 93 kg division
2013
#3 World IPF Bench Press Ranking - Open Men's 83 kg division
2012
#3 World IPF Bench Press Ranking - Open Men's 83 kg division
2011
#1 World IPF Powerlifting Ranking - Junior Men's 74 kg division #1 World IPF Bench Press Ranking - Junior Men's 74 kg division #1 World IPF Bench Press Ranking - Open Men's 74 kg division
Personal bests - Equipped Powerlifting
| Lift | Weight | Weight Class | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Squat | 220 kg | 74 kg division | November 2011 (In training) |
| Bench press | 195 kg | 74 kg division | November 2011 (In training) |
| Deadlift | 240 kg | 74 kg division | November 2011 (In training) |
| Total | 655 kg | 74 kg division | November 2011 (In training) |
Personal bests - Raw Powerlifting
| Lift | Weight | Weight Class | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Squat | 185 kg | 74 kg division | November 2011 (In training) |
| Squat | 205 kg | 83 kg division | March 2013 (In training) |
| Bench press | 155.5 kg | 74 kg division | December 2011 (Commonwealth Championships) |
| Bench press | 184 kg | 83 kg division | December 2013 (Commonwealth Championships) |
| Deadlift | 240 kg | 74 kg division | November 2011 (In training) |
| Deadlift | 250 kg | 83 kg division | April 2012 (In training) |
| Total | 555 kg | 74 kg division | October 2011 (In competition) |
Equipped Powerlifting Records
| Record Type | Age Division | Weight Class | Weight | Date | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Australian | Junior | 75 kg division | 170 kg bench press | 27 March 2010 | QLD State Titles |
| Oceania | Junior | 75 kg division | 168 kg bench press | 11 December 2010 | Oceania Powerlifting Championships |
| Commonwealth | Junior | 75 kg division | 168 kg bench press | 11 December 2010 | Oceania Powerlifting Championships |
Raw Powerlifting Records
| Record Type | Age Division | Weight Class | Weight | Date | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Australian | Junior | 74 kg division | 172.5 kg squat | 16 October 2011 | SE QLD Autumn Challenge |
| Australian | Junior & Open | 74 kg division | 155.5 kg bench press | 16 December 2011 | Commonwealth Powerlifting Championships |
| Australian | Junior | 83 kg division | 160 kg bench press | 27 November 2011 | SE QLD Challenge |
| Australian | Open | 83 kg division | 184 kg bench press | 5 December 2013 | Commonwealth and Oceania Powerlifting and Bench Press Championships |
| Australian | Open | 93 kg division | 195.5 kg bench press | 3 May 2014 | University of Queensland Challenge |
| Australian | Junior | 74 kg division | 235 kg deadlift | 16 October 2011 | SE QLD Autumn Challenge |
| Australian | Junior | 74 kg division | 555 kg total | 16 October 2011 | SE QLD Autumn Challenge |
| Oceania | Junior & Open | 74 kg division | 155.5 kg bench press | 16 December 2011 | Commonwealth Powerlifting Championships |
| Oceania | Junior & Open | 74 kg division | 155.5 kg bench press only | 16 December 2011 | Commonwealth Powerlifting Championships |
| Oceania | Open | 83 kg division | 184 kg bench press only | 5 December 2013 | Commonwealth and Oceania Powerlifting and Bench Press Championships |
| Oceania | Open | 93 kg division | 193 kg bench press | 9 December 2014 | Asia & Oceania Powerlifting & Bench Press Championships |
| Commonwealth | Junior & Open | 74 kg division | 155.5 kg bench press | 16 December 2011 | Commonwealth Powerlifting Championships |
| Commonwealth | Junior | 74 kg division | 155.5 kg bench press only | 16 December 2011 | Commonwealth Powerlifting Championships |
| Commonwealth | Open | 83 kg division | 184 kg bench press only | 5 December 2013 | Commonwealth and Oceania Powerlifting and Bench Press Championships |
| Commonwealth | Open | 93 kg division | 193 kg bench press | 9 December 2014 | Asia & Oceania Powerlifting & Bench Press Championships |
References
- http://www.powerlifting-ipf.com/360.html
- http://www.uq.edu.au/news/index.html?article=25489
- http://www.uq.edu.au/news/index.html?article=24738
- http://www.powerlifting-ipf.com/349.html
- http://powerliftingaustralia.com/AustralianRecords.htm
- http://oceaniapowerlifting.homestead.com/records.htm
- http://commonwealthpf.homestead.com/records.htm
- http://uqsport.wordpress.com/tag/high-performance-sport/
- http://uqsport.wordpress.com/2010/08/20/uq-strength-on-show-at-powerlifting-championships/
- http://www.uqsport.com.au/index.html?page=149196
- http://uqsport.wordpress.com/page/4/
- http://www.uq.edu.au/news/index.html?article=21791
- http://omc.uq.edu.au/news/593UQNEWS.pdf
- http://www.uq.edu.au/news/article/2012/05/uq-sport-announces-club-and-sports-awards
- http://www.uq.edu.au/news/article/2012/11/uq-celebrates-100th-blues-awards
- https://www.facebook.com/QUTBrisbane/posts/10154756909380304
External links
- Powerlifting Australia
- University of Queensland Powerlifting and Weightlifting Club
- International Powerlifting Federation
- Oceania Powerlifting
- Commonwealth Powerlifting
- Lev Susany-Powerlifter Profile