7 Questions With IPF PowerLifting World Champion Maria Htee
It is with great pleasure that I get the chance to share my interview with IPF Open World Champion Maria Htee.
Maria recently won her first World PowerLifting Championship in Sweden last month.
Maria First off a huge congrats on your local win at the IPF World Classic PowerLifting Championships in Sweden. Maybe you could tell us about how you did and about the competition.
It was the mile stone of a life time. Everyone knows I’ve been gunning for this title for a while now. Words could not describe how please I am with the outcome. I am blessed and thankful for all the support.
What were your best lifts in Sweden? As well what have been your best lifts overall?
I squatted 172.5kg, Bench 102.5 and Deadlift 197.5kg. I have to say Deadlift were my best lift in Sweden even I was hoping I have more in the tank with Squat.
What was your training like for this competition? For example how many days a week? How many hours a session? What goes in to becoming an open World powerlifting Champion?
I start my day with 20min cardio in the morning, at first I used it for weight cut tool but I felt overall better when I move around in the morning a little.
I train 5 days a week and usually for 2hrs.
I have this picture of becoming a World Champion in my head that kept repeating over and over. I was never this focused in my life. There’s a lot of sacrificing, as well as being selfish but it is worth it in the end.
Lets go back a bit, what got you started in lifting weights? How did you start with lifting and how did this lead into powerlifting.
I started with bodybuilding training, I did two bikini shows and one figure show. I’ve always lifted heavy but I never thought of powerlifting. I used to think powerlifters are fat and manly, however one day someone told me that I shouldn’t be lifting heavy as a figure competitor.
Out of spite 2 weeks after winning figure overall I registered in my first Powerlifting meet.
After that I was hooked.
You are a very driven and motivated woman. What is it that motivates you? How do you stay motivated all the time to train?
It is hard to stay motivated all the time but it like everything in life you find a purpose. The reason why you are doing this. For me I love lifting heavy things and it gives me a purpose in life. I grew up in the border of Thailand and Myanmar.
Life was not easy.
I got a second chance in life and I want to make the best of it. Proving it to all my sisters and brothers that, if I can do it they can do it too.
If you were to give advice to women that are just getting into lifting weights and or PowerLifting what advice would you give them?
Set a small goals, enjoy every step of it. You would be surprised what your body and mind can do when they team up.
Last but not least what’s next for you Maria? After winning your first World Championship where do you go from here? What are you focusing on or training for next?
Training for Commonwealth Championship starts now. My goals are to staying healthy and go back stronger for next year.
Never stop hustling.
Be sure to connect and follow Maria Htee on Instagram.
Coach Rob is the creator and owner of Women Who Lift Weights and Heavy Weights Training Center.
He is a Coach, Writer and Competitive Power Lifter.