How elite powerlifter Nicolaas Du Preez prepares for a lift

Every top powerlifter has a ritual or a set of cue's which they practice prior to executing a heavy lift. This is how South African powerlifter Nicolaas Du Preez mentally prepares himself for a heavy lift.

Nicolaas Du Preez (28) only started competing in 2018 and it is incredible to see how much progress he has made already. He recently won Elite Raw and the powerlifting achievements in his short career have led to him being compared with American Larry Wheels.

Nicolaas du Preez Competition PRs:

Squat (raw): 370 kg (815.7 lbs) (2019 RhinoPC Four Nations)
Bench Press (raw): 245 kg (540.1 lbs) (2021 WPC-SA Power Wars)
Deadlift (raw): 385 kg (848.7 lbs) (2019 WPC-SA Power Wars)
Total (raw): 982.5 kg (2166 lbs) (2019 RhinoPC Four Nations)
Squat (wraps): 420 kg (925.9 lbs) (2021 WPC-SA Power Wars)
Total (raw w/wraps): 1030 kg (2270.7 lbs) (2019 WPC-SA Power Wars)

Elite Raw class winners

How Nicolaas prepares for a lift

I block out everything and everyone. Having just myself and the barbell envisioned in this empty vacume of space. Controlled aggression is my way. Physically I'm calm & collected. Mentally I'm using and abusing the wrath of Hellfire