SINGAPORE – When 76-year-old Ling Lee Yong first stepped into a gym for strength training in 2020, he was met with scepticism from his friends.

Ling recounted: “Everyone said, ‘How are you not afraid to pick this up? It’s so difficult’.”

A business owner in the electronics component and automation industry, he first picked up strength training after being encouraged by family members, before transitioning to powerlifting.

Powerlifting consists of three disciplines: the squat, bench press and deadlift. These movements differ from the snatch, and clean and jerk components in weightlifting.

Health and family were what motivated him to pursue powerlifting. He said: “We don’t want to burden our children… it has to be me who takes it up to improve (my health).

“Some people complain about pain in their knees. We will have to build up these muscles to support ourselves. I have no knee pain at my age.”

Chuckling, his 34-year-old son Hong Yi added: “I think he has fewer knee problems than me.”

In May, spurred on by his family, Ling took part in his first competition, the Hygieia Master Powerlifting meet.

Open to participants aged above 40, the meet featured 38 contestants across four age divisions. At 76, Ling was the oldest male competitor while Michelle Yee, 59, was the oldest female.

Ling, who weighs 54.5kg, was the only participant in the Masters 4 (70 years and over), 59kg and under category.

He recorded a 40kg squat, 40kg bench press and 85kg deadlift for a total of 165kg. While his initial aim was to break the national record of 95kg for the deadlift, the septuagenarian had to reduce load after feeling discomfort near his hip.

Stressing that “I don’t need to say I’m number one”, Ling hopes that he can serve as an inspiration to others. He now does strength training with his wife, two daughters and son-in-law at the gym every Sunday.

“I hope people see me and encourage their seniors to start,” he added.

According to Powerlifting Singapore, masters powerlifting is increasing in popularity here, with membership for seniors increasing threefold since the Covid-19 pandemic.

Hygieia Strength & Conditioning gym owner Shaun Pang, 38, who organised the masters meet, added that 67 per cent of his clients are above the age of 40, an increase of 19 percentage points from pre-pandemic days.

Yee was one of those who picked up powerlifting during that period. A cycling enthusiast, she was inspired by Singapore national record holder Patricia Lynn Meyer, who is 67.

The English teacher said: “I had no idea that people of an older age could do this… I was stunned.”

The Covid-19 pandemic meant that Yee could no longer travel overseas for cycling events. After a fall that prevented her from cycling for six months, she switched to powerlifting.

Despite her initial apprehension, participating in her first competition, the 2021 Singapore Powerlifting Open, was a “turning point”.

The mother of two said: “Everyone encouraged me, and that was a big thing for me. They were clapping for me, and no one jeered... It alleviated all my fears and concerns.”

For Yee and Ling, the best part of powerlifting is the confidence it has brought to their lives.

Hoping to carry on for “as long as I still can”, Ling said that sceptics “must come and see the difference and try it for yourself”.

Yee added: “What motivated me was that I want to be able to run around and play with my grandchildren when they come along.

“I’m training now for my future, for my old lady’s body.”