- Impressive numbers have been revealed
Queensland Opposition Leader Steven Miles has impressed by showing off his strength in a powerlifting event as he deadlifted almost 200kg.
Miles took part in the 2026 Council of Australia Powerlifting Organisation (CAPO) Queensland State Championships over the weekend.
The 48-year-old competed in the under-90kg division in an eight-hour powerlifting session at the Mansfield Tavern in Brisbane.
He tested himself in several taxing exercises, including squats, bench press and deadlifting.
Miles produced a solid 150kg squat and 107.5kg bench press, before completing a personal-best deadlift of 197.5kg.
The long-time politician revealed his motivation for training and competing when he posted clips of his lifts on Instagram.
Steven Miles (pictured) impressed with his recent showing at a powerlifting competition
The Queensland opposition leader (pictured competing) is known for his love of exercise
Miles (pictured with wife Kim) has been outspoken about his motivations for staying in shape
‘Just a dad from qld lifting some serious tin,’ Miles captioned one of the clips.
‘It’s always “How much do you bench Steven?” and never “Why do you bench Steven?”‘ he wrote.
‘I’ll tell you why – for my physical health, for my mental health, for my kids.’
Miles’s Instagram post won him a lot of support on social media.
‘Role model for the world mate, run for PM next time,’ one person wrote.
‘Light weight baby! Yeah buddy wooooooooh! Light weight! Yeah budddyyy! Gj,’ another added, using the catchphrase made famous by legendary bodybuilder Ronnie Coleman.
‘Nice lifting Steven! That 200 will be there. The great thing about strength sports is you can keep getting stronger and realising those health gains into your 50s and 60s,’ another added.
‘Crisafulli wouldn’t be able to lift the bar,’ another commented, referring to Queensland Premier David Crisafulli, who beat Miles to the top job at the 2024 state election.
Miles has kept in shape for years, and his powerlifting performance isn’t the first time he has drawn attention for his physique.
He divided Aussies in 2024 by showing off his muscular frame while volunteering at a school’s working bee.
Miles was snapped while carrying a garbage bin at Dakabin State School in his electorate of Murrumba, north of Brisbane.
While usually hidden underneath a suit during press conferences, his ripped physique was on full display with his biceps bulging out of his T-shirt.
Some social media users were left in envy at his apparent ‘thirst trap photo’ while others accused him of turning an act of goodwill into a PR opportunity.
