It’s all about the mindset for Lake Wales junior weightlifter Zacchaeus Hart.
Hart knew he never placed at regional weightlifting, let alone win gold in the tournament. But Hart, who had a very good year leading up to regionals, blocked out years' past and remembered who he was just ahead of the Class 2A, Region 3 Tournament.
The junior ended the tournament as a grand champ, becoming a champion in both Olympic and Traditional weightlifting, of course securing his spot at the state championship for both categories.
“It’s really the mindset; it’s constant. But the aggression and consistency as far as taking whatever you have on the bar and keeping that the same, that’s actually the hardest part,” Hart said. “But having that taken care of and having that mindset. With that, I’m the champ.”
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Hart was also the champ in both categories at districts, but he knew what it would take to duplicate that kind of performance. So, he switched that mentality into a God-fearing mindset, not allowing any distractions to hinder his goal of becoming the regional champion.
This helped him pass the training time leading up to regionals.
“(I’m) not backing down. ... I’m ... going to do what I said I was going to do,” Hart said. “That’s me standing on my word saying I’m going to hit this today, having that go-getter (mentality).”
That go-getter mentality met Hart was able to lift 350 total pounds in Olympic and 420 total in Traditional, helping Lake Wales rack up its third regional title in a row last weekend.
“It felt exhilarating. It gave me that sense of accomplishment,” Hart said. “Me being the first (time I did this), that accomplishment really hit different. That moment … was a grand honor and it made me feel like all the hard work paid off. I’m not finished, but if I keep going on the track that I’m going, then we are going to get there.”
Hart was always aspiring to be the best he can be, but in last year’s regionals he didn’t achieve a medal. This year the former football player turned the page and is one of the county’s best weightlifters.
But that same mentality on the mat has helped him in the classroom and his future aspirations as well.
He is able to apply those same fundamental tactics to his schoolwork, which is making him a more well-rounded person. He is also looking at weightlifting as a tool for potential scholarships for college.
For Hart, the sky isn’t the limit. He’s looking to achieve otherworldly goals.
“Consistency is a big part of life, and consistency is a big part of weightlifting as well. If you want gains, or if you want anything at life, then you got to be consistent as what you do,” Hart said. “Weightlifting has ingrained that in my mind as well as my team.”
Polk County weightlifters will be ready for the FHSAA Boys Weightlifting Championship Friday and Saturday at the RP Funding Center. Class 3A will start Friday at 1 p.m., while Class 1A-2A will be Saturday at 9 a.m.
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