By, David Lazarus
1 min read
ByDavid Lazarus, David Lazarus
When she was just 10 years old, before she was even batmitzvah, Naomi Kutin broke a world record for squat lifts in the 97 lb division.
The lithe schoolgirl from New Jersey managed the feat despite what some non-Jewish powerlifters might regard as disadvantage.
As she told New York newspaper the Forward at the time: "Because I'm Jewish, I cannot lift on Shabbos."
Now 15, Ms Kutin holds a handful of world records in powerlifting.
In 2012, she was proclaimed the "strongest girl in the world" after she set the women's world record in the "raw squat", which consists of shouldering a massive barbell while bending into a "seated" position. The weight was just under 215 lb.
Since then, Ms Kutin has lifted heavier loads - up to an astounding 315 lb.
Ms Kutin and her family have had to work hard to balance her chosen sport with religious observance.
"Sometimes they schedule the girls' competition on Shabbat or a Jewish holiday, which can make it a challenge," a bubbly Ms Kutin told the JC, "but somehow we figure out a way to work it out."
She added she had also been widely supported by her mainstream Orthodox community. "People have been very accommodating," she said.
It was no surprise that Ms Kutin and powerlifting found each other. Her father, Ed, has been a record-holding powerlifter in his own right for more than 30 years, and Naomi first showed her potential at the age of eight. Mr Kutin coaches his daughter in the basement of their home, where Naomi's nine-year-old brother, Ari, also trains as a powerlifter.
Ms Kutin said life had "definitely been more hectic" since news emerged of her powerlifting feats. "But I really like it, I'm doing something I really love. I love to test my limits."
Her days, however, can be long. "I'm in school by eight in the morning and often not home till 5.15pm."
Ms Kutin indicated she had only encountered two - very rare - negative comments; once online and once at a basketball camp. "That bothered me a lot," she said, "but everyone else has been very supportive."
Ms Kutin's story has been chronicled in Supergirl, a just-released documentary by New York director Jessie Auritt. The film is now doing the rounds of Jewish and non-Jewish film festivals, including at the prestigious Doc NYC this month.
The film, which Ms Auritt said took three years to complete, shows Ms Kutin preparing for her batmitzvah, her daily family life, her ups and downs as a teenager, as well as the challenges that come with combining competition and observance.
Ms Auritt said she hoped her film gave its audience a sense of how the Kutins "balance two different worlds". She aims to organise UK and European screenings in 2017.