Rigoberto Mata

• Grade: 11

• Sport: Powerlifting 

How would other people describe you as an athlete?

A person with a great mindset.

How and why did you start playing?

I was just on TikTok until I kept seeing videos about power-lifters and I just ended up trying it. Ever since I just fell in love picking up the weights and pushing myself.

Describe how you prepare before a game/tournament.

I mostly just try talking to myself and listen to music on maximum volume and try to pump myself up.

For people that have never played your sport, what do you think the average person gets wrong about it?

They think that all you do is workout, just doing squats, bench, and dead-lift, but really there are many things to do to improve.

What personal superstitions or traditions do you have before, during or after a game?

Before a meet I usually pray and listen to music to get me ready.

Tell us about your favorite memory as an athlete either on or off the field.

My favorite memory was when I was going to my first meet. I didn’t know anything, I was so nervous once it was my turn I went to lift. After that first lift I was amazed and so much adrenaline was in me, making the nervousness go away.

Tell us the story about what you are most proud of yourself for.

I’m proud of myself for doing more than I thought I could do in my last meet. 

As an athlete, who is someone you are thankful for and why?

I’m thankful for my mom, she’s always supportive, loving, and she always makes me food which is the best,  her food gets me able to do heavy weights.

What advice would you give to your younger self when you began playing?

Push yourself, really try, don’t be nervous, and just do it, don’t think about it.

Favorites

• Exercise: Dead-lift
• Practice: Squat, bench, and dead-lift
• Hype Music: Brazilian Phonk 
• Sports Movie/TV Show: “Gran Turismo”
• Coach: Kody Weatherson