Courtesy photo SkellaFit members Cristi Johnson, left, Elle Bee, Laura Lewis, Karen Grochowski, Tina Robbins, Katie Jones, and Krista Hempel pose for a photo after setting several world records at a recent event.

Alpena — The SkellaFit Powerlifting Team is making waves on the international stage at the World Powerlifting Congress (WPC) World Championships in Durban, South Africa, this week — earning multiple World Records and first-place finishes while proudly representing Alpena and Team USA.

On Tuesday, Tina Robbins and Cristi Johnson each claimed first place in their respective divisions: Robbins in the Women’s Raw Full Power Masters 3 category and Johnson in the Women’s Raw Full Power Masters 2 category.

Robbins also set an impressive four new world records in the Women’s Raw Masters 3 Category — for the squat, bench press, and deadlift, and had great success on Friday as well, breaking the World Record in the Bench Press Only category.

Friday, teammate Krista Hempel also added to the team’s success by setting a world record in the Women’s Raw Bench Press Masters 4 Category. Four out of five lifters placed first in the bench press Only division, and Katie Jones placed 2nd in the Women’s 90 kilo class. The first place winners were Krista Hempel, Tina Robbins, Laura Lewis, and Karen Grochowski

“The dedication and strength these athletes have shown is extraordinary,” said Cristi Johnson, founder of SkellaFit and competitor in the Masters 2 division. “To see them achieve this level of success on the world stage is incredibly rewarding. Representing Alpena and showing what strong women can accomplish together is something I’ll never forget.”

The competition continued on Saturday with Elle Bee winning first place in the Women’s Classic Raw Full Power division, and on Sunday Katie Jones, Krista Hempel, Laura Lewis, and Karen Grochowski all won first place in each of their divisions in the Women’s Deadlift Only competition.

Out of the more than 400 lifters competing at the WPC World Championships, 15 represented Team USA — including seven female lifters from Alpena, Michigan, all part of the SkellaFit Powerlifting Team.

Tina Robbins said the experience has been both humbling and empowering for her.

“Today went better than I expected. I’m so excited and thankful to my coaches Cristi, Rick, Meag, and my whole team for the support along the way. I wouldn’t have made it without them.”

The WPC World Championships bring together elite powerlifters from across the globe, showcasing the highest standards of strength, discipline, and sportsmanship. After the closing ceremonies, the Team SkellaFit USA Powerlifters gathered to take a group photo with a sign saying “Alpena, this was ALL for you!”

For more information about SkellaFit and its athletes, visit SkellaFit.com or contact Cristi Johnson at coachskella@gmail.com.