Having an understanding boss who lets you do a bit of training in the workplace during your lunch hour, has helped KML’s purchasing officer Crystal King to earn a national silver medal.
The 42-year-old mum of three recently competed in the 2026 Australian Masters Championship and UMWF (United Master Weightlifting Federation) Masters Championship (an international competition) in Adelaide.
Crystal competed in the 40-44 year age and 86kg weight class against other competitors from all over Australia and the USA.
She achieved PB’s for both her Snatch (49kg) and Clean and Jerk (64kg) lifts for an overall total of 113kg which earned her a Silver Medal for the Australian Masters Championship and also a Bronze Medal for the UMWF Championship.
“This was my first International competition,” Crystal told The Cobar Weekly.
“I couldn’t be more happy with the outcome.
“It is what the last 6-9 months of training has been getting me ready for.”
In addition to holding down a fulltime job and juggling the demands of raising three children, Crystal has been training four times a week for one to two hours each session.
“I am very lucky as my boss Bushy – Michael Prince – has generously provided me with a space to set up a gym for myself so I am able to train when it’s convenient.
“This has allowed me to have quiet a flexible training schedule. I’m super grateful for the amazing support I receive from him, all my fellow work colleges and customers too.
“I think they secretly like that their office lady can lift weights,” Crystal joked.
Crystal has come a long way in the sport in a short time having only decided to take up powerlifting just before she turned 40.
“I thought I probably should get a coach and that’s how I came to be involved with Dubbo Barbell Club.
“When I started training I didn’t even realise that it would be possible for me as someone who was almost 40 to start competing but, with the encouragement from my coach Adrian Carey, my family and friends, I competed in my first competition in June 2024 in Bathurst just days after my 40th birthday.
“I have been competing ever since, chipping away building strength and improving technique.
“In March this year I competed in the NSW State Masters Championships and also got Silver there too,” Crystal said.
“My next goal is to increase my overall total by 5kg to 118kg by mid-December which will qualify me to be able to compete next year in the 2027 World Masters Games in Japan.”
Crystal has another competition coming up in a fortnight in Dubbo which will give her another opportunity to get a bit closer to her goal.
“I would encourage anyone to give it a go, I have discovered a great sport that has an amazing supportive community and anyone of any age can do it.
“At a recent competition there was a competitor with a birth year of 1936.
“How inspiring is that!”
