The next athlete to feature in our Athlete Profile series is Powerhouse regular Iveni (Ven) Tuitupou. Ven has been a client of Powerhouse for many years, and we’re thrilled be to able to feature him as a part of our blog series.
Ven’s early sporting career saw him playing rugby union for 20 years. During that time, he represented the Australian schoolboys teams, the Victorian Junior & Senior representative teams, before relocating to Canberra in 2005 where he began playing for Gungahlin Eagles.
In an effort to improve his fitness, Ven started to look at various types of training which is how he discovered CrossFit and functional training. This was when everything changed for Ven, and he realised that the cardio aspect of functional training was ultimately not for him. It also made him aware that “I had a knack for lifting heavy things” and thus, his love for powerlifting was born!
After retiring from footy in 2014, Ven competed in his first novice powerlifting competition in November. Needless to say he hasn’t looked back since having achieved:
Ven has also had the opportunity to compete against some of the best lifters from around the world at the Pro Raw 7 and Pro Raw 8 invitational in Melbourne. Powerlifting is where Ven developed an interest in the sport of strongman. He quickly achieved 1st overall in the 2015 Canberra Strongman Series open mens, and 1st again in the 2016 Canberra’s Strongest Man open mens.
While he still considers himself a novice in the strongman arena, Ven has been recognised for his achievements and has been rewarded with an invitation to compete in the 2017 Arnold Classic Australia Strongman & Strongwoman Championships down in Melbourne in March. This will be an exciting new challenge against some the best athletes that Australia has to offer in the field. In the lead up to Arnolds, you can catch Ven in all his glory at the ActewAGL Royal Canberra Show’s Strongest Man and Woman in February.
As for Ven’s future aspirations? Well you might not guess at it but he wants to purchase a kilt and compete in the Highland Games! “My daughter’s maternal great-grandmother is Scottish so I reckon I’ve got an in”.
Ven competed recently at The Iron Stronghold competition in Merimbula where he placed 2nd overall the powerlifting, but unfortunately, tore his calf half way through a yolk walk and didn’t place in the strongman event. Ven went straight into rehab mode including icing & compressing his leg, as well as booking in to see us to help his injury recovery.
To see how we can help you achieve your peak condition, perform at your best or help you recover from and injury, get in touch with our experienced and passionate sports physiotherapists.
Main image: Iveni Tuitupou. Photo: Julie Warren, ph: 0400 944 202, e: julesphotoimagery@gmail.com