As a powerlifter Tauranga's Kieran Mischewski knows all about lifting the weight off his shoulders.

He's manage to do it in the most impressive way with Commonwealth Powerlifting champs silver medal.

Kieran Mischewski. Photos: Facebook.

The father-of-three managed to smash two New Zealand records on his way to the silver behind Canadian powerlifter Kevin Wise.

Kieran broke the New Zealand record for his weight division in the squat with a 200kg lift and 262.5kg deadlift.

The proud Kiwi says it has been an amazing year.

'I started training seriously for competitive powerlifting and entered my first competition in February,” Kieran says.

'The next thing you know I'm doing quite well at New Zealand Nationals and then here we are on the other side of the world in Canada representing New Zealand at the Commonwealth champs.”

Currently still in Vancouver he says he was grateful for all the support.

'Especially over the last three to four months. This support has been both through words and encouraging actions and financially as well.

'It's nice to be able to bring home a bit of hardware which really belongs equally to all those people who have helped get me to where I am,” Kieran says.

'The biggest thanks goes to my beautiful wife Helen who is the one who encouraged me to take a shot at international competitions.”

So what's next for Kieran?

'This is just starting, national records have fallen and international records are now in sight, watch out 2116.”