Dante Driessen, a 22-year-old powerlifting sensation from Strand, made his mark at the WPC World Powerlifting Congress Competition in Durban on Friday 7 November.
Competing in the junior men’s under-100 kg division, he secured first place in his category and an impressive second place overall for junior men.
Driessen’s combined lift totalled 740 kg, demonstrating exceptional strength across the three disciplines: squat (270 kg), bench (190 kg) and deadlift (280 kg).
Hailing from a background rooted in Laerskool Lochnerhof and Boland Agricultural High School, Driessen initially focused on rugby before transitioning to the gym after school. He credits his parents for always supporting his “wild ideas”.
His entry into powerlifting was unexpected. “I was never passionate about it as my first competition was just for fun,” he explained.
I was stuck between choosing powerlifting or bodybuilding. With my first powerlifting meet I won my category and overalls… that’s when the passion started.
Achieving world-level success without a formal coach made the victory particularly satisfying. “Proud to say the least” was Driessen’s reaction, noting “especially that I did everything on my own without a coach,” while acknowledging most competitors had professional help.
The 740 kg total, though impressive, was shy of his 765 kg minimum goal.
“I had a goal in mind of going for the national bench record, but just missed it,” he admitted, conceding the result wasn’t his best to date.
Still, he embraced the sport’s unpredictability, noting that unexpected results are “the beauty of the sport.”
Driessen immediately nominated his 190 kg bench press as his strongest lift: “Since my first competition, my bench has always been my strong suit.”
He vividly described the powerful atmosphere during the deadlift: “The deadlift has always been the biggest feat of strength. When you walk out, everything is just quiet, and its just you, the bar and everyone focusing on you to get it. Once you start pulling, the crowd goes wild.”
Preparing for a major event demands intense scheduling and precise nutrition. Driessen employed a strict training schedule that prioritised recovery while pushing heavier weights.
He also found a typical bodybuilding diet worked best for his preparation.
As a diabetic, the final stages of prep are challenging. “The toughest part… is always the diet, as my blood-sugar levels sometimes drop, especially in the last two days when I’m barely eating with the water cut.”
Before a big lift he uses visualisation techniques to manage pressure. “I clear my mind and visualise myself in an empty space with just me and the bar, ignoring all distractions.”
Though he had no formal coach in Durban, he recognised his support system: “My team could have my back only with training, but that’s putting it lightly as they were there always with every single session.”
With 2026 his final year as a junior, Driessen has clear goals. “I’m planning on going to the nationals next year,” he said.
After that, he plans to transition to bigger competitions to establish himself in the senior category. He also intends to use his expertise to take on a few clients for the sport.
Driessen’s advice to newcomers emphasises patience: “It’s never the perfect time to start… The sport of powerlifting is a long process… Enjoy the process of everything.”
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