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Junior National team Member: Savanah Porzuczek

8/25/2013

Written by: AVI SILVERBERG

During the week of Aug 26 – Sept 1, 2013, our Canadian Junior National Powerlifting team will be traveling to Texas to compete at the World Junior Powerlifting Championships lead by Head Coach Avi Silverberg. Qualifying on this team is seven of our Nation’s strongest men and women under the age of twenty-three. In order for our Canadian athletes to qualify for a World Championship they need to have won their weight class at Nationals; a feat in and of itself that deserves much admiration. However, once an athlete reaches the pinnacle of success within Canada, they seek to take their skills internationally to compete against the World’s best.

Our current Team Canada athletes come from diverse backgrounds with a wide-range of experiences. Already on the team we have previous World competitors and medalists, but also a host of first-time members looking to advance their powerlifting careers. As we draw closer to the World Junior Championships, I will profile each athlete individually in order to showcase our homegrown powerlifting heroes. It is important to recognize that these junior athletes are already role models and leaders within the Canadian powerlifting community.

SAVANAH PORZUCZEK

Savanah Porzuczek started her powerlifting career in 2010, and has since competed in seven competitions. Every time Porzuczek steps onto the platform she is achieving personal best totals. In March 2013, she competed at the Canadian National Powerlifting Championships and totalled 410k at 57k bodyweight, which earned her the best Overall Female Canadian Junior Athlete award. This award uses the Wilks formula, which allows athletes to be compared across weight classes. Her individual lifts are: 157.5k/347lb squat, 100k/220lb bench press, and 152.5k/336lb deadlift.

Porzuczek competed on the National Team for the first-time in 2011, where she traveled to Moose Jaw, Saskatechewan for the World Junior Powerlifting Championships. At this competition she finished 4th overall, putting up a solid total of 370k. Now, a couple years later, and stronger than ever before, Porzuczek’s sight is set on a medal. Porzuczek has improved her bench press and wants to go for the bench press gold medal – a weight that will be put on the bar for her to attempt. She also hopes to put together smart numbers on the squat and deadlift in order for her to be in the running for an overall podium finish.

Porzuczek trains with MoFo Barbell Club in Jonquiere, Quebec, which is home to many National-level powerlifters. Among them include Joel Boulianne, who is a Senior National Powerlifting Team Member and was ranked 14th in the World in 2013. Training with the best in the world has helped Porzuczek develop the skills necessary to achieve success at the International level. Check out some of Porzuczek’s training footage as she prepares for the World Championships.

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More featured Team Canada Athletes:

Adam Ramzy
Courtney Dill
Steve Price
Tony Granville
Robyn Pearce

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Junior National Team Member: Adam Ramzy

8/24/2013

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Written by: AVI SILVERBERG

ADAM RAMZY

In 2010, Adam Ramzy began his powerlifting career and hasn't looked back. For two years running, Ramzy has achieved the title of Canada’s Strongest Male Junior Athlete. This award is calculated by the Wilks formula, which allows lifters of every weight class to be ranked against each other, and is handed out at the annual Canadian National Championships. Ramzy joined the National Team last year, competing in Poland at his first World Junior Powerlifting Championships. With that experience under his belt, he is set to light up the competition platform in Texas.

Ramzy’s best competition lifts are: 305k/671lb squat, 200k/440lbs bench press, and 272.5k/600lb deadlift. After speaking with Ramzy about his current training cycle, he is set to achieve some big PR’s this year on the World stage. One of Ramzy’s strength as an athlete is the ability to be reflective and adaptive. Ramzy reflects on every past performance and understand what needs to be adapted in his training in order to further his success. This heightened sense of ‘doing what needs to get done’ brings a maturity to Ramzy’s lifting that is far beyond his years. Interestingly, Ramzy is also his own coach – writing all of his own programs.

Ramzy’s goals going into the World Junior’s is to contend for an overall medal. Currently, Ramzy is ranked 4th in his class, with only 30k separating the five athletes that trail the podium. Ramzy’s class will certainly be a fight for position, so making every lift will be critical in order for him to have a shot at placing top three. This year Ramzy decided to cut from the 93k to 83k class, and with his strength levels staying the same with the decrease in bodyweight, he is more competitive than ever in his new class.

Just like his sporting success, there is no stopping Ramzy academically. Ramzy just finished a degree in Biomedical Science at the University of Calgary, and has been accepted to Medical School at the University of British Columbia starting in the Fall. Ramzy also recently got engaged to long-time girlfriend Jessica Pow, a powerlifter too.

Check out some of Ramzy’s training footage below as he prepares for the World Champioinships.

'Like' Pursuit of Strength on Facebook:

More featured Team Canada Athletes:

Courtney Dill
Steve Price
Tony Granville
Robyn Pearce

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Junior National Team Member: Robyn Pearce

8/20/2013

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Written by: AVI SILVERBERG

ROBYN PEARCE

Robyn Pearce started powerlifting in 2012, and has since then competed in six events, including two National Championships. This year will mark Pearce’s debut on the World stage where she is competing against 10 other athletes in the 57k class. Pearce has expressed that she feels very privileged to be part of Team Canada and believes that the experience of competing at the World Championships will ultimately better her as an athlete in the years to come. Pearce is not concerned with how the competition performs, but rather is focused on achieving personal best numbers on each of her individual lifts.

Pearce’s best lifts are: 117.5k/259lb squat, 60k/132lb bench, and 115k/253lb deadlift. Pearce trains in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan alongside some of the best Open lifters in the country, including Rhaea Stinn who is an 18-time National Champion and 8-time World Team athlete. With a support system of that caliber there is no escaping success. Pearce has had some massive training numbers in the past couple months and is planning to put together a full package in Texas.

Outside of powerlifting, Pearce attends the University of Saskatchewan where she is enrolled in her 4th year as a Physiology and Pharmacology major. Pearce is planning to enter Rehabilitation Medicine or Physiotherapy after she is done her degree. Other than studies, she spends a lot of time “bumming around” at Buffalo Pound Lake in Sun Valley just outside of Moose Jaw. Check out some of Pearce’s training footage below as she prepares the for World Championships.

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More featured Team Canada Athletes:

Courtney Dill
Steve Price
Tony Granville

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Junior National Team Member: Courtney Dill

8/17/2013

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Written by: AVI SILVERBERG

COURTNEY DILL

Courtney Dill is our team’s youngest athlete, competing at 17 years old. However, she is certainly not young in terms of experience. Dill has climbed the ranks quickly; she is a two-time National Champion, breaking five National records in the process, and making the National team in 2012 where she competed at the World Championships in Poland. Dill’s best lifts are 147.5k/325lb squat, 65k/143lb bench press, and 162.5k358lb deadlift. From the communications I’ve had with her support staff over the last couple weeks, she is set to achieve some personal bests at World’s this year.

Dill is surrounded by a legacy of World Class lifters. She comes from a very successful PEI powerlifting club that trains out of Souris High School. This team alone has produced 14 Canadian Champions, seven Team Canada athletes, and 10 World Championship medals (two gold, six silver, and two bronze). Dill’s main objective heading into this year’s World Championships is to better all of her National records, as well as contend for a medal in the deadlift.

Dill had also reached success in her academic life by making the high school Honor Roll. Outside of school and lifting Dill owns horses and works as a trail guy. She also coaches children's soccer and volunteers at local community events.

More feature Team Canada Athletes:

Tony Granville
Steve Price
Robyn Pearce

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Junior National Team Member: Steve Price

8/13/2013

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Written by: AVI SILVERBERG

STEVE PRICE

Steve Price competes in the 59k and 66k class and is one of our veteran lifters on the World Junior Powerlifting Team. Price has competed in 18 contests since 2008, including five National Championships and two World Championships. Throughout Price’s powerlifting career he has won three National Championships and achieved two bronze medals at the 2010 World Championships in the squat and deadlift. As well, Price is the owner of the open National squat record for the 59k class, which means even as a junior he is the strongest squatter in any age category for that weight class. Price’s personal best lifts are: 242.5k/534lb squat, 120k/264lb bench, and 225k/495lb deadlift.

Price’s main goal for the World’s is to stay focused on his own performance in order to achieve personal bests. However, he admits if an opportunity presents itself for an individual medal that he is willing to put the weight on the bar to take the chance at a podium finish. Price is competing in a class of 10 athletes, and while there are some definite top dogs in this flight, there is certainly room for athletes to sneak their way into the top three.

Price began his lifting career in St. John’s, Newfoundland; historically a breeding ground for top Canadian powerlifters. However, Price has recently moved to Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, where he has just finished his first year of a welding apprenticeship. While training for Junior Worlds this summer, Price has been able to lift in Moosejaw with Senior National team members Rhaea Stinn and Ryan Stinn.

When I asked Price what things I need to do as a coach for him to be successful, he said “There can never be enough sex appeal so bring as much of that as you want”. Looks like my job is pretty easy then, I just need to show up. Check out some of Price's training footage below in preparing for World's.

'Like' Pursuit of Strength on Facebook:

More featured Team Canada Athletes:

Tony Granville
Robyn Pearce
Courtney Dill

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Junior National Team Member: Tony Granville

8/12/2013

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Written by: AVI SILVERBERG

TONY GRANVILLE

Tony Granville will be competing in the Junior 74k class against twelve other competitors. Granville has lofty goals of securing a medal at this year’s Championships. Currently, Granville is going in third overall, but is closely followed by Alexander Eriksson from Sweden who is only 12k behind. The competition for the podium should be quite the battle!

Granville is living proof that you don't have to be big to lift big weights. Granville is the current Canadian National record holder for the squats, lifting 275.5k/606lbs - an astonishing 3.58 times his body-weight. I encourage you to do the same calculation for your own body-weight and squat to see if you come close! Granville also boasts an impressive 170k/385lb bench press and 267.5k/589lb deadlift.

Granville is not new to the powerlifting game. He has competed at seven competitions, two of which were National Championships. As well, Granville qualified and competed at the 2011 World Junior Championships in Moosejaw, Saskatchewan, where he placed 8th overall. Granville comes from Newfoundland where some of the Nation’s strongest powerlifters are born and bred; Granville is no exception. In fact, Granville will be accompanied by fellow Maritimer and teammate Stephen Price – who will be profiled in the days to come.

Outside of powerlifting, Granville is heading into his 4th year of study at Memorial University in St John's, where he will be graduating with a Bachelor of Commerce degree. Check out some of Granville's training videos as he prepares for the World Championships .

'Like' Pursuit of Strength on Facebook:

More featured Team Canada athletes:

Steve Price
Courtney Dill
Robyn Pearce

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Summary of Powerlifting Workshop

8/5/2013

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This past weekend I held a powerlifting workshop entitled “The Ins and Outs of Competing for the First Time”. The workshop was held at CrossFit Taranis in Victoria, BC, and turned up 15 enthusiastic athletes who are registered or thinking about registering for their first powerlifting competition. Most athletes found their way to powerlifting through CrossFit, but there were also a few Olympic weightlifters, as well as powerlifters. The first half of the workshop covered all of the nit-picky details of the sport structure, rules, and sequence of events. The second half of the workshop gave the athletes an opportunity to try out the movement standards and learn about what causes a no-rep.

I started the workshop by telling a story of my experiences competing for the first-time. When I began in powerlifting there were very little resources to find out how to get involved. As well, there weren’t many local competitions and traveling for your first competition was very much part of the process. If you waited until a competition came to your hometown you might be waiting a couple years. So while I was living in Calgary, AB, I booked a flight to Winnipeg, MB to compete for the first time. When I arrived at the competition venue it was like walking into a different universe. Nothing was familiar. I didn’t know where I had to be and when. I had no idea how the sequences of a competition panned out, the protocols for weigh-ins or warm-ups, or what the movement standards were for the lifts. While I managed to get two out of three of my squat attempts, I wasn’t able to complete any successful bench press attempts. In powerlifting, if you don’t successfully lift at least one attempt in each of the three movements you get disqualified. As powerlifters say, you “bomb out”. Needless to say, flying to a new city and bombing out is not the way you want to start your powerlifting career. However, through trial and error, I persevered and was able to find success in many subsequent competitions.

I believe the value in hosting a workshop on competing for the first time is that athletes can walk into a competitive powerlifting environment and feel confident and comfortable in their abilities. The sad fact is that many first-time powerlifters “bomb out” in their first competition because of a lack of sport knowledge, not because they lack strength. Often these athletes decide to hang up their singlet way too early, and as a result, the sport of powerlifting loses many potential future champions.

I am very grateful to be able to give back what I’ve learned over the years through my mistakes and blunders so that others can reach success in their athletic pursuits.

Please CONTACT me for more information on our workshops.

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Junior National team Member: Savanah Porzuczek

Junior National Team Member: Adam Ramzy

Junior National Team Member: Robyn Pearce

Junior National Team Member: Courtney Dill

Junior National Team Member: Steve Price

Junior National Team Member: Tony Granville

Summary of Powerlifting Workshop

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