From a quiet gym in KwaZulu-Natal to setting world records. Taneal Mitchell is determined to prove that strength has no age limit.
KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa (15 July 2025) – When 47-year-old Taneal Mitchell first joined The Natural Way gym in Hillcrest, KwaZulu-Natal, she had no idea that powerlifting would soon become her passion. Better yet, that it would take her all the way to the world stage.
“I joined The Natural Way in January 2023 under the guidance of Tarynne Cass, owner and trainer,” says Taneal.
A year later, in January 2024, she decided to take a leap of faith and shift her focus to powerlifting, and has not looked back since. Her competitive journey began in April 2024, when she entered her first amateur competition, Clash of the Titans. She not only came first in her age and weight category but also set four national records across squats, bench press, and deadlifts. This boosted her qualifying for the AWPC National Championships with a total lift of 287.5kg.
“Powerlifting has taught me discipline and dedication and has given me a purpose,” Taneal says. “When I started, I never dreamed that I would get this far or that I would be attending the World Powerlifting Championships.”
At the AWPC National Championships in Benoni in June 2025, Taneal raised the bar once again by setting four new national records and four new world records. This includes a world-record squat of 137.5kg. Her final lifts came in at 137.5kg (squat), 55kg (bench press), and 135kg (deadlift), totalling 327.5kg.
Having qualified for the AWPC World Championships in Idaho Falls, USA, this August, she’s now calling on potential sponsors and supporters to help make the trip possible.
“This obviously comes at a cost with entry fees, competition kit, airfares, accommodation,” she says. “I would appreciate any financial assistance or sponsorship, or even something I could raffle to raise funds.”
Taneal says she’s open to showcasing sponsor names on her powerlifting kit in return for support. And she’s not done pushing her limits just yet.
“My goal this year is to break my own squat world record and the world record for deadlifts in my age and weight category at Worlds.”
What began as a personal challenge has transformed into a journey of resilience and record-breaking success. Now the world stage awaits.
If you would like to support Taneal, you can check out her BackaBuddy here.
Sources: Supplied
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