From struggling to climb stairs to deadlifting 67.5kg, 73-year-old grandma sets sights on Hyrox

A 73-year-old grandmother, who once struggled with everyday activities such as walking and climbing stairs, has won a deadlift challenge after lifting 67.5kg — more than her body weight.

Rosemina Hamzah, a former school cook, entered a challenge organised by local strength-focused training studio MBold in August, exactly a year after she began her fitness journey.

She has now set her sights on Hyrox Singapore, which will be held on Nov 28 and 29, reported Stomp on Thursday (August 13).

Rosemina will be accompanied by her daughter, personal trainer Siti Maryam Abdul Rahman, 33.

'I'm incredibly proud of her'

"If I had known I could be this energetic and mobile, I would have started sooner," Stomp quoted Rosemina as saying.

She credits Maryam for pushing her while making sure every gym session is safe and enjoyable.

"Honestly, if you told me a few years ago that my mother would be lifting weights and signing up for Hyrox in her 70s, I probably wouldn't have believed you," Maryam said.

For Maryam, her mother's transformation is much more than how much weight she can lift.

"Seeing her confidence grow has been even more rewarding than seeing the numbers on the barbell increase.

"I'm incredibly proud of her."

Struggling with everyday activities

By the time Rosemina reached her 70s, she was feeling the effects of ageing.

"I had difficulty in walking, praying and (even had) shortness of breath," she told Stomp.

She had also began experiencing knee pain when prostrating during her daily prayers, according to Berita Harian (BH).

The most strenuous activity she regularly did was cycling to and from Loyang Secondary School, where she worked as a cook.

Rosemina was initially reluctant when Maryam suggested that she try strength training.

Maryam decided to train her mother herself after disagreeing with her siblings' suggestion that they buy their mother a personal mobility device (PMD), as she felt that relying on one could make her mother less willing to walk longer distances, BH reported.

Rosemina started small with exercises such as lateral squat walks and lifting dumbbells before progressing to more intense workouts that included a combination of cardio and strength training at Anytime Fitness at E!Hub Downtown East.

Inspiring other seniors

One of the biggest turning points came when she realised she could get up from the floor and climb stairs with ease.

That was when Maryam said her mother was "completely sold".

Within months, the progress was evident, with Rosemina telling Berita Harian in September 2025 that she had regained the ability to cycle without pain and prostrate during prayers without experiencing knee discomfort.

The mother-daughter pair now train together up to four times a week.

Rosemina's transformation has also inspired Maryam to help other seniors get active.

Maryam recently started Moving with Ma-Chics, a fitness event aimed at motivating seniors in the Malay community to get moving, with proceeds going to charity.

"The goal isn't just to cross the finish line, it's to show other seniors that it's never too late to start taking care of yourself and doing things you never thought were possible," she said.

Netizens buoyed by her transformation

Videos of Rosemina, affectionately known online as Cik Rose, lifting weights and working out have turned her into something of a TikTok fitness inspiration.

Netizens applauded the discipline in her fitness journey.

"Steady, auntie! When I grow up, I want to be like you," wrote a TikTok user in the comments section.

Another commented: "Living proof that strength training makes you stronger at any age. Don’t wait until you’re old to start!"

"Have to show this to my mum — she’s always making me move the flowerpots in the morning," quipped another netizen.

AsiaOne has reached out to Maryam for more information.

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helmy.saat@asiaone.com