Powerlifters earn Canadian records

By Greg Price
Taber Times
gprice@tabertimes.com

Several locals had top lifts at the recent 2016 Western Canadian Drug Free Single Event Powerlifting Championships held in Taber.

There were 74 entries with lifters coming from all across western Canada to compete.

“The lifting was very high calibre with many personal bests posted. There were also 32 Canadian records broken at this contest,” said Randy Sparks, a co-organizer of the event at Bodymasters Gym. “Even though the experience level ranged from first-time lifters to the advanced seasoned competitors, the performance level set by everyone was at a very high standard. Everyone that competed should be very pleased and proud of their overall performance.”

The following are results from local lifters:

Junior Women 20-23 148 lb Class: Nicole Johnson – Squat 1st 231 lbs (Canadian Record); Bench 1st 138 lbs; Deadlift 1st 253 lbs (Canadian Record).

Open Women 148 lb Class: Sarah Gough – Squat 1st 231 lbs (Canadian Record); Bench Press 1st 121 lbs; Deadlift 1st 281 lbs (Canadian Record).

Open Women 181 lb Class: Megan Gemmill – Squat 1st 192 lbs; Bench Press 1st 138 lbs; Deadlift 1st 264 lbs.

Open Women 198 lb Class: Katia Fajnor – Squat 1st 198 lbs; Bench Press 1st 132 lbs; Deadlift 1st 264 lbs.

Open Men 165 lb Class: Jonathan De Castro – Squat 1st 286 lbs; Bench Press 2nd 231 lbs; Deadlift 1st 336 lbs.

Junior Men 20-23 220 lb Class: Clay Sparks – Squat 1st 530 lbs (Canadian Record); Bench Press 1st 350 lbs (Canadian Record); Deadlift 1st 551 lbs (Canadian Record).

Open Men 220 lb Class: Clay Sparks – Squat 1st 530 lbs (Canadian Record); Bench Press 1st 350 lbs (Canadian Record); Deadlift 1st 551 lbs.

Open Men 220 lb Class: Brad Wilson – Squat 3rd 507 lbs; Bench Press 2nd 346 lbs; Deadlift 3rd 600 lbs.

Open Men 220 lb Class: Brad Silver – Squat 424 lbs; Raw Bench Press 2nd 402 lbs; Deadlift 501 lbs.

Open Men 242 lb Class: Jeff Lastuka – Squat 1st 585 lbs (Canadian Record);
Bench Press 1st 385 lbs (Canadian Record); Deadlift 1st 595 lbs (Canadian Record).

There were seven competitors from the competition that were randomly tested for performance enhancing drugs.

All first-place finishers and chosen alternates will have the opportunity to compete at the Drug Free World Championships, Sept. 23-25 in Las Vegas.