“Powerlifting taught me a lot about myself. I realised I’m so much stronger than I ever thought I could be. That even when I fall and cry, I can rise again and be stronger than ever. Nothing worth having ever comes easy. You got to work for it and never give up,” starts our conversation Mia, a 17 year-old powerlifter from Halmstad, Sweden.
She also adds: “So, to all the girls out there: stand up for yourself and never stop fighting for your dream. It’s going to be hard sometimes and you are going to cry, but when you make it, you’ll be stronger than ever.”
Athlete’s ID:
Name: Mia “Pippi” Engrenius
Country: Sweden
Club: Halmstad Weight- and Powerlifting club
Age: 17
Weight/height: 47 kg, 150 cm
Coach: Oscar Björk
Personal records:
Deadlift: 137.5 kg
Squat: 100 kg
Bench: 67.5 kg
Total: 305 kg
What it feels like to be the strongest 17-year-old in the world?
It feels amazing! It’s not like I think I’m on top of the world and everybody else aren’t any good, there will be strong girls at the World Championship too. But right now it feels really amazing and I almost can’t believe it’s true. It’s so big for me!
You have three world record titles: bench press, deadlift and total. What’s next?
I will improve my records. Lift more and heavier weights! I will compete at the Bench press World Championship and after that Powerlifting World Championship!
Out of those three lifts, which one is your favourite and why?
I think it’s deadlift. I’m really strong with it and have the power to lift so much. I love deadlift!
Why do you like raw power aka. powerlifting so much?
I don’t see this as just a sport, I see this as a lifestyle too. And I love it. I want to reach perfection in my lifts. And even if I’m really good at what I do, then I love the feeling of coming to training and feel like there is thousands of things that I can do better and learn more about. This is my life, I love my life!
Do you ever get any negative comments from people about heavy weights not being appropriate for women?
Yes sometimes I do. Sometimes it hurts a lot, but I’m trying not to care. “Haters gonna hate.” They will always be there and instead of give them my attention and let them win, I try to not care about them and use it to grow stronger.
You are originally from Colombia, but living in Halmstad, Sweden at the moment. What’s your story?
I’m from Colombia, in South America. I was adopted when I was 8 weeks to the most amazing family in the world. I’m so lucky to have them.
Before Powerlifting, you did gymnastics. How did that benefit you with powerlifting?
Yes of course. My time in gymnastics gave me a lot of body control that I can now use!
How does your day usually look like? Breakfast, school, training, sleep, repeat?
Yes, something like that. I go to school, then train and before going home, ready for dinner with my family.
So what about sugar, candies and chocolate? Or are you more red meat, eggs and bacon?
I love chocolate! I always have chocolate with me when I compete. But normally I really like meat, fish, pasta and most of the normal and healthy food.
Role model? If yes, who is it?
I have a role model, and it’s my grandpa. To me he’s the most fantastic person in the world! He’s not like a powerlifting role model but when I grow up, I want to be like him.
I also have a big inspiration and motivation in my best friend who died last year because of cancer. I did my second powerlifting competition, my family was there to see me lift and they knew what had happened. They didn’t tell me until a few days after the competition and I’m very grateful for that. But he died the same night as I competed…
A few weeks before the competition. Actually the last time I spoke to him he said “Oh Mia, are you the Swedish champion in deadlift now? You lift so heavy and you’ve come so far and I’m so proud of you!” And that’s something I will have in my heart forever. I miss him every day but I want to do this for him, because I know he would be so proud of me.
Who influenced your life most and why?
There are a lot of people who influenced in my life. But I would have to say that my mom and my coach are the most important.
Goals for the future?
I want to become the World Champion in Bench press and Powerlifting. That’s my goal and when I have a goal I’m not giving up until I’ve reached it. Giving up is not an option. I will compete at the World Championship in bench-press in May (in Sweden) and after that I hope I will compete at the World Championship in powerlifting in June (in Finland) So, that my goals for this year and then we’ll see what’s going to happen…
Thank you Mia and good luck!
Photo credit: Jörgen Alström
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