World

Ten-year-old breaks weight-lifting record

July 12, 2012 12:08
Naomi Kutin regularly lifts 200lb
1 min read

She is more than a year shy of her batmitzvah and not yet five foot tall, but pre-teen strongwoman Naomi Kutin can lift twice her own body weight.

The 10-year-old from New Jersey came to the world’s attention earlier this year when she broke an international record for female weight-lifters in her weight class — previously held by a 44-year-old — and lifted 215lb.

Last week, she added to her trophy collection with two more wins in regional US competitions, including a 209.4lb deadlift. “I expected to do better,” said Naomi.

Encouraged to train by her father, she started competing a year ago and now regularly lifts 200lb. “My height is an advantage with squats as I don’t have to go down so far,” she said.

A pupil at an Orthodox Jewish school, Naomi avoids competing on Shabbat and retains her modesty by wearing a T-shirt under her weight-lifting outfit. She prepares for competitions by eating plenty of chicken and drinking water.

Watch The Forward's video of Naomi here