Lincoln woman sets state and world records for power lifting

Chalk, clap, and lift.

It’s a routine that has consumed Kari Kraus’ life for the past six months.

Kraus joined Anytime Fitness in South Lincoln with the goal of loosing weight.

It was there she was introduced to power lifting just six months ago and she quickly became obsessed.

“She came in and was like hey I’m thinking about doing the Cornhusker State Games power lifting and I was like yup, yup you’re going to do it,” said Anytime Fitness club manager Mandy Meister.

Meister and Kraus’s trainer Rae Twohig pushed her to compete in the Cornhusker State Games.

She had just three months to prepare to compete in three events: bench press, squat, and dead lift.

“I went into it knowing bench was a really strong point for me and that was on my radar to set the state record for bench press. I didn’t think about it, I thought about being in the gym and just really pushed it up and had a good lift,” said Kraus.

At the games Kraus benched 209 pounds and dead lifted 358 breaking the state records.

The thrill of competing inspired Kraus to join a world competition just three months later.

Kraus pushed herself in the gym to be ready and that hard work paid off at the Amateur Athletic Union power lifting competition in Nevada.

She lifted a combined 950 pounds between bench press, squat, and dead lift breaking three world records.

While Kraus’s training has made her stronger, her trainer says the biggest change has not been her strength, but in her self confidence.

“She kinda came out of her shell and is like I’m going to do this no matter what and if I don’t get it this date I’ll try and do better the next time, it’s been a huge growth for her,” said Twohig.