Shanmugam deadlifts 65kg of weights 102 times at Chong Pang event, sets new personal best

Shanmugam deadlifts 65kg of weights despite feeling unwell

At the age of 65, Law and Home Affairs Minister K. Shanmugam has managed to deadlift 65kg of weights a total of 102 times.

He did this at an event in his Chong Pang ward, setting a new personal best in the process.

Shanmugam took up challenge to carry his body weight multiple times

Mr Shanmugam, who is also an MP for Nee Soon GRC, attended the Chong Pang Fitness Fiesta 2024 on Saturday (2 Nov).

Held at the Chong Pang 165 Hard Court, one of the challenges this year was for participants to try and carry their body weight multiple times.

They’re required to do six repetitions in one minute, taking a 90-second break after each minute.

The motive is to do this 50, 75 or even 100 times, depending on the person.

In an Instagram post on 26 Oct, the minister said he would be taking part in the challenge to encourage others, adding:

If I can do it, others can do it.

He hoped to see as many people as possible, noting that it’s “a good way to build muscular endurance”.

Shanmugam deadlifts 65kg 102 times

On Saturday, Mr Shanmugam led about 100 residents in doing the challenge, successfully deadlifting 65kg a total of 102 times.

He did this in just 40 minutes, reported Shin Min Daily News.

This was also a new personal record for him.

Shanmugam deadlifts 65kg despite feeling unwell & coughing

Speaking to 8world News, Mr Shanmugam said he was initially sceptical that he could achieve the feat.

He revealed that he was feeling unwell that day and was in fact still coughing.

Also, he had never really tried to complete 100 deadlifts before, he added.

Thus, he was “very satisfied” that he could do it after all, as it meant that his health was “not bad”.

Shanmugam hopes to lead by example

Mr Shanmugam also hoped to lead by example and encourage more Singaporeans to exercise.

He said fitness is a great way to bring people together, and the purpose of the Chong Pang Fitness Fiesta was to inspire people to exercise more, with different physical challenges for residents to take part in every year.

During the event in 2022, he famously deadlifted a weighty 125kg — also setting a new personal best at the time.

The minister has been weight training since 2020 — in August 2021, he shared a video of himself lifting barbells of varying weights, saying he’d been doing it for about a year.

Also read: Shanmugam Sets Deadlift Personal Best By Lifting 125kg At Chong Pang Event

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Featured image adapted from Chong Pang Community Club on Facebook.