The 52kg class is all about the fight between teammates right at the front. Noémie Allabert and Shizuka Rico, both French, have been going head to head again and again for a couple of years now, ever since Noémie moved up to the 52s in 2019. Noémie has come out on top every time so far but the gap is closing. At French nationals this year, Shizuka was only 4kg behind on squat, 5kg behind on bench and 2.5kg ahead on deadlift so we are now in a situation where it comes down to who gets all their lifts in. One mistake from Allabert, and Rico will streak past.
There is plenty of action as we moved down the field so let's take a look at the nominations
Shizuka Rico FRA 438.5kg
Megan-Li Smith NZL 415kg
Stef Kean CAN 408kg
Pleun Dekkers NED 406kg
Barbara Gapp AUT 405kg
Megan-Li Smith last appeared on the international scene in Helsingborg where she won the 47kg junior class. She's moved back up to the 52s now and this seems to have given her plenty of scope to get stronger as she is well placed in the fight for the podium.
Only 3kg covers the nominations for the next three, all of them World Championship veterans. Stef Kean is returning to international competition after a long absence but Pleun Dekkers and Barbara Gapp are familiar faces - Pleun just missed the podium in Halmstad and will be looking to move up that crucial place this year but with a couple of contenders returning from long absences, it's hard to predict where this one will end up.
One thing is for sure, you won't want to miss it! Tune in on Day 1 of the World Classic Powerlifting Championships in Sun City, South Africa. Livestreamed on the Olympic Channel and our facebook page on 6th June.
Graphic by @strength.journal
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