Return of the Champ: Nicolaas du Preez Aims to Make History at ABS PRO 8
Three years as the bridesmaid. Three years of watching someone else hoist the belt. At ABS PRO 7, Nicolaas du Preez finally changed the story.
Now, the South African powerlifter returns to Dublin with a chance to do what no champion has ever done—successfully defend an ABS belt.
Every winner has been a one-term champion.
The cruellest blow came at Clash of Titans 4, where du Preez was denied victory on a razor-thin margin: bodyweight. The champion that night, Karl Pw, walked away with the belt while the South African was left with what-ifs.
Three consecutive years, he arrived. Three consecutive years, he left without the title.
The Coronation at ABS PRO 7
The drought ended in spectacular fashion. At ABS PRO 7, du Preez unleashed a monstrous performance: a 420 kg squat, 250 kg bench press, and 395 kg deadlift for a 1,065 kg total. Finally, the belt was his.
A Date with History: ABS PRO 8
But the statistic hangs over every champion: No fighter has successfully defended an ABS belt.On August 1st, at ABS PRO 8 in Dublin, du Preez will attempt to break that curse.
Standing in his way is a familiar adversary: Karl Pw. The man who once denied him on bodyweight now returns, seeking to become champ —dethroning du Preez and to reclaim the crown.
Mission is simple:
For du Preez: Become the first champion in ABS history to retain the belt.
For Karl Pw: Prove Clash of Titans 4 was no fluke.
No champion has successfully defended an ABS belt.
Can Nicolaas become the first?
RETURN OF THE CHAMP
ABS PRO 8 | Dublin
August 1st
Nicolaas du Preez | Competition History
| Year | Event | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | WPC-SA South African Nationals | 1st |
| 2019 | RPC Four Nations | 1st |
| 2022 | RPC Elite Raw | 1st (1,037.5 kg total) |
| 2023 | Clash of Titans 4 | 2nd (loss on bodyweight to Karl Pw) |
| 2024 | ABS PRO 7 | 1st (ABS Belt Winner) |
| 2025 | ABS PRO 8 | Scheduled for August 1st |
