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2014 CPU Nationals Preview:  The Boys

3/30/2014

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This year is an exciting year for Canadian powerlifting.  At the CPU National Championships, March 31-April 5, we have the largest number of lifters ever to compete at this level, with over 300 athletes, representing 10 provinces.  A couple of respected lifters and coaches have posted about the “fight cards” within each class, trying to bring excitement to each category and analyzing potential outcomes.  However, those previous line-ups ignored a few prominent athletes, as well as some underdog stories that will, no doubt, shock the country.   So, here are my thoughts about the upcoming National Championships. 

Part Two:  The Boys

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James Bartlett
Classic Division

The week starts with some good ol’ fashion classic lifting.  Each class runs deep; there are at least seven lifters in every Open class, and sometimes more in the Sub-Junior and Junior categories.

The 66k class is filled with many first-time National athletes, mostly lifting in the Sub-Junior and Junior categories.  One of these young men to watch out for is Daniel Remulla from Ontario, who has totaled 550k.  With a 439 Wilks, that places him 9th all-time in the Junior rankings and 29th all-time in the Open rankings.  Also worth mentioning, the current National record in his Junior class is 492.5k, so I have no doubt that he will be rewriting the record books next week.  

In the 74k class, there are some clear favorites to win the Junior and Open Class.  In the Juniors, Josh Hancott from Newfoundland has set the bar high with a 652.5k total.  In the Open, Kojo Gyennin from Alberta is coming off a sexy performance from the Arnold Sports Festival one month ago, totaling 677.5k.  These guys top the all-time classic rankings with Josh at #4 and Kojo at #2.   Also in the 72k class is the one and only Joe Stockinger from Alberta.  At 84 years old, Joe plans to throw a few World records on the bar, including at 200k deadlift.  Say, what? 


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Joe Stockinger
 The tightest battle of the entire Championships will probably happen in the 83k class.  Connor Lutz from Saskatchewan and Mark Wasson from PEI are only separated by 2.5k going into this event.    The one piece of bragging rights that Connor holds is that he recently broke the bench press Junior World Record in December, lifting 190k.  Let’s not forget about the Masters in this class though.  There is Sandro D’Angelo (M2) from Ontario and Ron Delaney from Novia Scotia (M3).  Both of these gents competed at the IPF Master World Championships last year and reached the podium; Sandro pulled 265k for a deadlift silver medal; and Ron won the Gold medal in the squat, bench press, deadlift, and total.  Now, Sandro and Ron are going to try their hand at lifting classic.    Although Sandro is also lifting in the equipped division.  

The 93k class will be a battle of the East, with seven out of the eight competitors coming from Either Ontario or Quebec.  The majority of the athletes in this class are highly experienced at the National level, but it should come down to who makes or misses their third attempts.  The top three athletes going into the event are Jake Warrington (690k total), Daniel Schultz (685 total), and Vincent Byrne (677.5k total).   Also noteworthy performances to watch are Kevin Weiss (M1) from BC who is a long-time competitor in the CPU, and places 4th on the all-time master rankings.  As well as, Jerry Marentette (M3) from Ontario, who has been lifting since the 70s, has won almost every award in powerlifting, including being recently inducted into the Ontario Sports Hall of Fame. 

The 105k class is deep, but here are where my biases start coming out.  I have two athletes competing in the Open category, James Bartlett and Sebastian Lade.   James has previously competed in the 120s, but now that he is a ripped 105er, he will break the National squat, deadlift, and total records in this class.  It only seems fair that we take John Macdonald’s 105k records, since recently John Macdonald beat James’ 120k records.  I’m still waiting for the day that these two guys meet in the same weight class, but since James got skinny and John got fat, it won’t happen this year.  As for Sebastian, this is his first National experience, and we’re hoping for PRs across the board.   Also in the 105s, you should watch for Leon Brown, one of Canada’s greatest raw benchers.  He just recently broke the M1 World Record at the Arnold Sports Festival, lifting 210k. 

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Sebastian Lade
The 120k category will be a fight between John Macdonald (773k total) and Mark Giffen (767.5k total).   Even though Mark is an M2 competitor, he has decided to register as an Open athlete to show that age doesn’t determine one’s physical capacity.  If I know John though, he thrives under the pressure of stiff competition, so look to see a back and forth battle happening right through to the end.  In the 120k+ class, Kelly Branton is returning to the National stage after a 5-year break.  The extended rest must have been exactly what he needed, since he recently put up an 800lb raw squat.  Kelly will be after the #1 all-time ranking next week.  He will need to surpass Michael Sinclair’s 515 raw Wilks, achieved at the National Championships in 2012. 

Equipped Division

There aren’t many equipped lifters in the lightweight men categories, but those who are competing are veteran lifters, including Glyn Moore (M3) from Ontario and Lewis Noppers (M1) from Alberta.   Glyn is the meet director for this year’s National Championships, so I always have sympathy for those that choose to lift in the same event they host.  On the other hand, Lewis recently won the gold medal at the 2013 Master World Championships, so his lifting should be an exciting performance to watch. 

In the 83k class, master lifter Tom Kean (M1), who ranks 3rd on the all-time Master rankings, will be the performance to spectate, especially if you want a lesson on perfect technique.   There will also be Kain Lyon, the former Alberta Powerlifting Union president, competing in the Open class.  In November he put up his first 500 Wilks, so I’m sure he’ll be at the top of his class on game day. 

The 93 open class brings a close battle with two Alberta athletes:  Jon Stewart and Evan Dunn.  Jon just recently competed at the Arnold Sports Festival, but unfortunately bombed out on the bench press.  If he can put together a solid performance this week he will be the top guy to beat.  That said, it could be anyone's game with Evan in the line-up.  While he hasn’t competed in two years, that doesn’t mean he hasn’t been hard at work.  His training numbers as of lately have all been personal bests.  So if he can get comfortable on the competition platform he will be making a run for the top spot.  There are also some World class master lifters in the 93s, including Dave Walters, who is the strongest M1 lifter in the World based on Wilks.  


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The final day of competition sets the stage for the heavy weight men.  My training partner, Mike Macdonald, will be defending his Best Overall Male Powerlifting award from last year.  His Wilks currently places him 2nd on the all-time list.  If you can only watch one of Mike’s lift, go for the bench press.  He will be opening heavier than the National record.   In the 120+k class, there is only one man to beat, and that’s Kelly Branton.  Like many lifters, he has decided to lift in both the Classic and Equipped division.  We just may see a 1000+k total from him on this day. 

Avi’s Picks for Overall Male Winners:


Classic Powerlifting:  Kelly Branton

Classic Bench Press: Leon Brown  

Equipped Powerlifting:  Kelly Branton  

Equipped Bench Press:  Mike Armstrong  



Join the Pursuit of Strength Facebook Page for all sorts of awesome powerlifting content.
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2014 CPU National Preview:  The Girls 

3/28/2014

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This year is an exciting year for Canadian powerlifting.  At the CPU National Championships, March 31-April 5, we have the largest number of lifters ever to compete at this level, with over 300 athletes, representing 10 provinces.  In anticipation of this event, a couple well-respected lifters and coaches have posted about the “fight cards” within each class, trying to bring excitement to each category and analyzing potential outcomes.  However, those previous line-ups ignored a few prominent athletes, as well as some underdog stories that will, no doubt, shock the country.   So, here are my thoughts about the upcoming National Championships. 

Part One:  The Girls

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AJ Facendi
Classic Divisions

The female classic 47k class will be a battle, not for any individual placings, but for who will set the National total record the highest.  Currently, the National total record is 220k, set by PEI’s Jill MacFarlane.  However, Jill will be facing off with three other athletes, both in Junior and Master Classes, who all have totaled above 220k in the past 12 months in local-level competitions.  Since National records cannot be broken at local meets, the race to the record books will be even more important on the National stage.   Look out for:  Crystal Grimsen (Open - 232.5k total), Odette Michaud (M2 - 242.5k total) and Pamela Anderson (Junior – 260k total). 

It’s amazing to see first-time powerlifters rival veterans of the sport.  This is particularly true in the female classic 52k class with Maria Htee and Steph Puddicome from Newfoundland.  Both of these girls competed for the first time in November.  Steph totaled 307.5k landing her 13th on the all-time ranking.  Maria totaled 322.5k placing her 10th on the all-time ranking.    Most athletes train a lifetime to crack the top 20, and these girls did it on their first go-around.   After following both of these girls’ training since November, I can certainly say that you don’t want to miss their flights.  In particular, Maria has recently squatted an easy 132k in training with the World Record only being 146k! 
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Jessica Benedetto
One of the tightest battles for this year’s classic female athletes will be in the 57k class.  While Jessica Benedetto from Quebec is a clear favorite for the win, putting up a 375k total at the Arnold Sports Festival a month ago, there are seven other athletes in this flight who total between 300-315k.  This flight will all come down to smart attempt selection and whose coach runs the best numbers.  With shameful self-promotion, I can confidently say that Johanna Reichel from Alberta, who I’ve coached for the past year, will be in good hand.  She will be opening heavier than her previous personal bests, ya….

If you want some solid lifting from our Junior athletes, look no further than the female classic 63k class.  There are three girls who all have a shot at the top spot on the podium.  Both Kristen Elliot (292.5k total) from Newfoundland and Alicia Kingsland (287.5k total) from BC are traditionally 72k lifters, but have decided to come down a weight class to compete with Meara Mulholland (295k total), also from BC, who boasts the top total going into Nationals.  The placings in this class should come down to the final pull. 

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Meara Mulholland
Another tight race will happen in the female classic 72k class, except this time it will be a battle of the “newbies”.  Many of these girls will be stepping onto the National platform for the first-time, but don’t let that “newbie” status dissuade you from expecting big numbers.  Eileen Du Plooy from Novia Scotia looks to be the favorite, competing for just over a year, and recently putting up a 380k total.  Seven other first-time National athletes in this class have totaled between 330-342.5k, so one failed third attempt can mean the difference between a medal and sitting on the sidelines.  Also noteworthy, the 72k class includes Dani Savoie from Alberta, who won a gold medal at the World Championships last year as a Junior athlete.  Now as an Open athlete, I’m excited to see how Dani’s career progresses and how she fends off these rookie athletes. 

Equipped Divisions


With more girls deciding to lift Classic this year, the equipped categories are far less deep, but that’s not to discredit their performances.  We have several World Class female athletes competing equipped. 

There are two girls to watch in the 57k class: Junior Savanah Porzuczek from Quebec and Sub-Junior Mikayla Lohse from Saskatchewan.  Savannah won a bronze medal at the 2013 Junior World Championships with a 430 total and 511 Wilks.  Most recently, she squatted 172.5k easily in training; not your average feat of strength.  Savanah’s younger counterpart, Mikayla, is not new to powerlifting either.  This will be her third National Championships and will likely put up a 300+k total, another extraordinary feat for someone that age.  In the 57k class we also have some incredible master lifters:  Julie Watkin and Carol Brady.  Both athletes who have previously medaled at a World Championships. 
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Savannah Porzuczek
With no surprise, the tightest battle for the female equipped division will be in the 72k class, which includes:  Mary Ann Kaczor, Sarah Leighton, and Rhaea Stinn.  Each of these girls hold top 10 spots on the all-time Canadian rankings.  They are simply the best of the best, all competing internationally multiple times.  In this class we also have Master lifters Linda Rousseau and Lisa Nigh who have both previously competed on Team Canada at the World Championships.    

Avi’s Picks for Overall Female Winners:


Classic Powerlifting:  Maria Htee

Classic Bench Press: Breann Thiessen

Equipped Powerlifting:  Rhaea Stinn

Equipped Bench Press:  Dani Savoie


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Good Luck:  Two Athletes Compete This WEekend

2/21/2014

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This weekend, Feb 22-23, 2014, two Pursuit of Strength athletes will compete in two separate sports. 

Sean Janzer (left) will be competing in his second powerlifting competition at the BCPA Winter Open in Richmond, BC.  He previously competed at the Taranis Powerlifting Challenge in September where he squatted 180k, benched 120k, and deadlifted 200k @ 74k bodyweight.  Already in training he has surpassed these numbers and is looking to add more kilos to his total this weekend. 

Ebby David (right) competes in Olympic weightlifting, and will be taking the platform this weekend at the A&R Memorial in Port Alberni, BC.  His personal competition bests are 70 snatch and 85 Clean & Jerk @ 77k bodyweight.  Over the past training cycle he has exceeded those numbers numerous times and is planning to open well above his bests in competition this weekend. 

Both of these athletes have bright futures in their respective sports.  While they are both extremely athletic, they are relatively new to their chosen sports, so with each competition brings more experience and focus to their training. 

Following the weekend we'll have an update of their performances!!  Good luck boys!!






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Which Comes First? Resistance Before Aerobic Exercise or Vice Versa?

2/21/2014

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I recently had an athlete ask me whether they should do their aerobic work before or after their strength training. In her current phase of training, the strength development was the priority, so I had recommended she do the aerobic training following the strength work, since she planned on doing both in one training session.

Coincidently, a few days following my athlete's questions, I received a Feb 2014 article published in the American College of Sports Medicine Journal, entitled "Which Comes First? Resistance Before Aerobic Exercise or Vice Versa?". While the article is geared toward general public health, and not high-performing athletes, the article confirmed one of the general rules when it comes to programming exercise order: 


 "At present, there is no consensus as to which exercise sequence is more effective, sequencing recommendations are dependent on the program priorities". 

 In short, programming which comes first, strength training or aerobic exercise, will always depend on the priority of the current training program as it relates to your athlete's goals.  

The article is 6-pages and worth a read. It's free to access, click on the link and under "Article Tools" click "PDF" to download. 

http://journals.lww.com/acsm-healthfitness/Fulltext/2014/01000/Which_Comes_First__Resistance_Before_Aerobic.5.aspx




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Doing it at Any Age

2/19/2014

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Five years ago I met this lady, Doreen Kimura. I started coaching her initially to be able to move better on the golf course. While she came from an active background, formerly an elite rock-climber, she had never previously engaged with ...strength training. We started slow, working on her mobility, balance, and stability across a variety of different movement patterns. After mastering those activities, Doreen progressed to basic dumbell movements like step-ups and split squats, and about two years into our training she attempted her first squat with a barbell. At this moment, Doreen was hooked, and she was determined to get even stronger.

At the end of my time working with her, Doreen was able to squat 65lbs and deadlift 100lbs for 5 reps each.

The reason why I stopped working with Doreen one-on-one is that I decided to pursue a M.Sc. in a different city. Many of you might know that my research is focused on the impacts of powerlifting training on aging adults. One of the primary reasons for researching this topic was because of individuals like Doreen, who is the epitome of resilience and living life to the fullest.

Fast forward to this past weekend, I was attending a local powerlifting competition, and what do you know, Doreen had entered her first powerlifting competition at the age of 84!! Needless to say there aren't any female powerlifters that old doing it so every lift she achieved was a World Record. The crowd was amazing, giving her a standing ovation after every attempt.

Doreen would say that powerlifting is more than just the physical strength, it's about pushing individual potential. It was such an honor to see her again. I couldn't be more proud.
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Junior National team Member: Savanah Porzuczek

8/25/2013

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Written by: AVI SILVERBERG
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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. 

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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. 

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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
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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.
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.
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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. 
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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. 
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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. 


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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
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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.
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. 

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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.  

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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
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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.
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.

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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. 

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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
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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.
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. 

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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. 

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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.


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More featured Team Canada Athletes:

Tony Granville

Robyn Pearce
Courtney Dill




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