Powerlifting champ Farhanna Farid is breaking world records and inspiring more women to lift

Professional powerlifter Farhanna Farid has been smashing multiple world records and sweeping medals since she started competing at international competitions in 2018. Not even a back injury could take this powerhouse down, though it certainly caused grave concern for her.

The 32-year-old recalls how she bounced back from the crippling injury in April last year to crush a powerlifting world record within two months. The incident shook her confidence initially and she nearly quit the World Classic Open Powerlifting Championships in Malta in June. But with sheer determination and support from her coach and loved ones, she recovered in time to compete, lifting a record-breaking 203kg in the under-52kg category. 

“Coming out stronger after this pushed me to my boundaries and made me realise there’s another level [of perseverance or capability] that I can tap into,” she says.

Rather than getting emotional when faced with setbacks, she takes a more practical and logical way of handling them. “I’d try to identify what I could do better, then rectify it,” says Farhanna. “We can never be perfect. But we can aim for it by striving to reach a certain level of standard.”

Powerlifting does not require only brute strength. Being mentally strong can help one reach full potential – not just in the gym room or on a competition platform, but also in all aspects of life.

“Powerlifting is a test of resilience. Beyond showing me what I’m capable of physically, it has shown me the depth of my mental capabilities and that I can achieve pretty much anything I set my mind to,” she says.

This mentality is a far cry from her younger self before the sport turned her into a resilient powerhouse. 

“In the past, I’d sometimes start something, then cut my losses when things get tough and fail. So I’d feel like a Jack-of-all-trades and a master of none. But powerlifting is such a systematic way of making progress and building momentum that I’m able to build my strength and confidence,” she says.

Discovering her love of lifting

Farhanna thought she was merely spending quality time with James Barcelo, her then boyfriend, now husband, at the gym, but little did she realise she was just about to discover another love of her life – powerlifting. 

That was in 2017, when they were deadlifting with friends during a mock meet. During her turn, she kept lifting heavier weights till she hit 140kg, an unofficial national record, despite having no professional training.

Since then, she has become a professional powerlifter and the first female Singapore athlete to win an overall international open-category gold in the Under-52kg division at the Asian Classic Powerlifting Championships in 2018.

Farhanna credits her achievements to James, who is also 32 years old and a senior personal trainer, as well as a fellow powerlifting athlete. He has always believed in her potential since day one. Training with a supportive group of individuals has also helped her establish a strong foundation before she turned professional.

She powers through her training four times a week, clocking two to three hours each time, never giving up on her aim for better results. 

“Powerlifting has taught me that I should always give myself a fighting chance. Just show up and don’t sabotage my chances of proving something right for myself,” she says.

Her efforts paid off when she scored her first powerlifting world record to lift 197kg at the World Open Classic Powerlifting Championships in South Africa in 2022. Since then, she has broken eight deadlift world records, most recently at the Asian Classic Powerlifting Championships in December last year, where she lifted 208kg. 

At the Reformd Powerlifting Combined Nationals 2024 in Singapore in March this year, she came close to breaking this record by attempting to deadlift 209kg. Although she did not do as well as she had personally hoped for, she still crushed the competition in her category despite a full day of coaching and refereeing before it and was grateful for the results.

Pushing past boundaries

Farhanna believes in making the most out of each moment, even if it involves taking calculated risks and making mistakes sometimes, so she can explore her limitations and rediscover herself.

Being part of the traditionally male-dominated powerlifting community used to feel intimidating, but she relishes in pushing herself out of her comfort zone now. 

“Maybe I can inspire other women to do the same (powerlifting), especially if they’ve always wanted to try it but never felt comfortable enough,” she says, adding that she had left her job as a pharmacist to be a powerlifting coach – 80 per cent of her clients are women.

She has also joined Powerlifting Singapore, a local powerlifting federation to promote the sport and help raise its standard. Membership has jumped from 170 members in 2017 to 430 members last year. 

“I hope to make the sport more accessible to the general population, and show that it’s never too late nor difficult to start. Although I only took up powerlifting at 26 years old when many professional powerlifters started at 17 or 18, I believe I was able to overcome the late start with the right coaching and guidance.

“That is exactly what I hope to be able to help others with and show them that coupled with their hard work and commitment, they will be able to achieve what they have set themselves out to do,” says Farhanna.

Created in partnership with DBS, “HER WORLD, HER SPARK” is a series highlighting trailblazing women in Singapore with the courage to live fully. These women believe in themselves, push boundaries, advocate for change, and prioritise what truly matters. Through each story, we hope to inspire everyone to trust the spark that resides within each of us.

PHOTOGRAPHY Shawn Paul Tan
ART DIRECTION Adeline Eng & Ray Ticsay
HAIR Angel Gwee, using Davines
MAKEUP Benedict Choo, using Cle De Peau Beaute
COORDINATION Chelsia Tan