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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


Join the Pursuit of Strength Facebook Page for all sorts of awesome powerlifting content. 
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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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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: 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.


'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
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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.

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!   

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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. 
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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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Recap from the weekend of champions

6/11/2013

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Lots of sexiness to cover from this past weekend of competing.  Two events took place simultaneously in Vancouver, BC.  Pursuit of Strength had two athletes in the BC Provincial Powerlifting Championships and one athlete in the Canada West Crossfit Regional. 

POWERLIFTING

Sebastian Lade competed in the raw 3-lift category and claimed the top spot earning the title of Provincial Champion.  Lade is one of the most composed and adaptable lifters I've ever seen on the platform.  The last flight of lifters were two hours behind schedule and the final deadlift didn't take place until 10:00pm.  Needless to say it was a long day with many organizational delays.  Given all those factors, Lade didn't complain once, and it was business as usual as he executed a perfect nine-for-nine day, achieving personal bests across the board. 
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Sebastian Lade
For myself, Avi Silverberg, I competed in the raw 3-lift category as well.  It was my first full powerlifting competition since 2009.  It made for a fun day because there was no pressure or expectations.  I totaled 715k, and achieved a lifetime personal best on the bench press, lifting 215k with no supportive equipment.  My future plans are to compete in the raw powerlifting at the 2014 Canadian National Championships.  Check out the video of my lifts below. 
I'd like to mention a couple special performances from friends of Pursuit of Strength.  Sunette Mynhardt competing in her first powerlifting competition, beating out experienced athletes to win her weight class.  As well, Jordan Tarasoff, competed for the first time as a super-heavy weight junior, winning his weight class, and pulling an amazing 275k deadlift. 

CROSSFIT

Christina Verhagen, had an absolutely grueling weekend competing at the Crossfit Regionals.  The competition spanned over three days, hosting seven events that tested all aspects of human performance.  For a full list of the events, click HERE.  Through blood, sweat, and determination, Verhagen placed 16th in the Canada West region.  Over the past year, I've seen a maturation in Verhagen's composure during competition.  She is more relaxed and poised, and when the time comes to perform, she turns into an absolute beast.  Big things are happening in this girl's future. 
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Christina Verhagen, Avi Silverberg
We also cheered on Pursuit of Strength friends, Lucas Parker and Lindsay McCardle, who placed 1st and 8th respectively.  With Parker's win, he earns his third ticket to the Crossfit Games, a world-wide competition to crown the fittest person on the planet. 
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Lindsey McCardle, Lucas Parker, Avi Silverberg, Sebastian Lade, Elaine Huba
Congratulations to all athletes who competed this weekend, either at the powerlifting or Crossfit event.  Keep doing what you love and keep inspiring us all.
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If his strength doesn't impress you, maybe his beard will

6/3/2013

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Lucas Parker, from Victoria, BC, is one of the World's most elite Crossfitters. In 2012, Parker earned a 15th place finish at the Crossfit Games, which is an international competition that tests all aspects of human fitness.  Only four men and women from Canada each year are invited to compete at the Crossfit Games.  This year, 4255 athletes in Canada started the Crossfit season.  Through the first round of qualifying, Parker placed in the top 40 in Western Canada to qualify for the Regional Championships.  Only the top two finishers at the Regional Championships, Eastern and Western Canada, are sent to the Crossfit Games.  The Western Regional Championships are being held in Vancouver, BC this weekend, Jun 7 - 9, 2013.  Parker is now focused on winning this competition and stamping his third ticket to the Games. 

Click HERE to see a current CTV news segment featuring Parker. 

Parker uses strength and power training to increase his capacity as a Crossfitter.  While Parker has demonstrated many astonishing feats in the gym and competition, I recently caught him on video front squatting 405lbs at 180lb bodyweight. 



GOOD LUCK at the Regional Championships this weekend, Lucas! 

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An impossible feat made possible

5/28/2013

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Almost one year ago, Tom Nicholls, a Canadian National Team member and powerlifting world champion, suffered a near death car accident.  At the time, Nicholls was in his second year of stock car racing and ran head into the wall at the Halifax Speedway.  He was air lifted to the hospital, where he spent 13 days in the ICU.  Nicholls suffered a head and neck injury, which caused bleeding in his brain and a fracture to his C1 vertebra.  Due to the swelling in his brain, Nicholls had a seizure while in emergency and went into cardiac arrest.  The next day, while in ICU, he had two more cardiac arrests.  While the doctors were performing CPR, they broke three of his ribs, which ended up fully puncturing one lung and partially the other. 

Throughout the year following the accident, the Canadian Powerlifting Union banded together to raise funds for Nicholls' family.  It was an unprecedented demonstration of support as six clubs from coast-to-coast hosted deadlift competitions where all proceeds went to help Nicholls recover from the accident. 

This past weekend, the Canadian Powerlifting Union witnessed a special and awe-inspiring moment when Nicholls returned to the platform to compete at the Novia Scotia Provincial Championships.  Nicholls lifted in the raw division, achieving a 235k squat, 190k bench press, and 250k deadlift.  Nicholls' journey from the accident to competing once again is an unfathomable spectacle of the human spirit and will to overcome adversity.  Powerlifting, like all sports, is much bigger than the numbers on the platform, or the scores at the end of the game.  It is stories like this, that despite all odds and rationale thinking, that success can be realized with an unbreakable passion and dedication in the face of insurmountable obstacles.  Welcome back Tom!

Other noteworthy performances from the Novia Scotia Provincial Championships include John MacDonald, a 120k lifter, successfully bench pressing 265k.  MacDonald also took the National record (278.5k) for a ride, and although the weight was lifted, he only received one white light.  There are a few lifters, myself included, who will be attempting the 120k National bench press record in 2013.  The record is set to be broken, the only question is by who and how much!!  You can check-out MacDonald's lifting below:   

For full results of the Novia Scotia Provincial Championships, click HERE.
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the new king of bench press

5/26/2013

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Jonathon Leo, 120k+ team USA athlete, breaks a world record and achieves the best pound-for-pound lifter award at the World Bench Press Championships in Lithuania.  Jon first stepped onto the World stage in 2011 and his journey to this point has built up over the past year, winning US Nationals, the North American Championships, and the Arnold Sports Festival.  Check out the video of his 360.5k bench press that puts him at the top of the World:
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Support Canadian athletes

5/25/2013

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Two Canadian athletes need your support.  The unfortunate reality for most Canadian athletes is that they have to pay their own way to compete.  The two girls featured below, Rachel Siemens and Rhaea Stinn, have both qualified for elite International competitions this summer, in Olympic weightlifting and powerlifting respectively, and are seeking sponsorships opportunities.  Get to know these incredibly strong girls by reading their biographies, and then see the links provided at the bottom to find out how you can help them in their sporting endeavors. 

Athlete bios

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Rachel Siemens
Olympic Weightlifter

Rachel is an Olympic weightlifter from Victoria, BC.  I met Rachel during the first year of my Master's degree and have been enthralled by her athleticism ever since. Rachel has reached many successes in various sporting domains, including: rugby, swimming, water polo, dance, and Crossfit.  Recently, however, Rachel found her way to the sport of Olympic weightlifting and has soared into the elite ranks.  Over the past two years, Rachel has earned the title of BC Provincial Champion and is a two-time bronze medalist at the Canadian Weightlifting Championships. 

Her all time best lifts are: 81k snatch, and 109k clean and jerk.



Beyond the gym, Rachel just graduated from a Kinesiology degree at the University of Victoria.  As part of her Honors project, Rachel investigated the use of Crossfit.com programming, as well as created a seminar that focused on the weightlifting application for kinesiologists.  Rachel works as a personal trainer at Synergy Health, a professionally integrated health and wellness centre in Victoria, BC.   As well, Rachel is currently leading the Vancouver Island division of the BC Weightlifting Association Women's Committee, an initiative aimed to increase female participation and performance in weightlifting across BC and Canada. 

For more on Rachel, please visit her website:
www.SeimensWeightlifting.com. 

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Rhaea Stinn
Powerlifter

Rhaea comes from Moosejaw, SK, and is synonymous with powerlifting in Canada.  I can't pinpoint the exact moment I met Rhaea, but I do remember always being inspired to watch her lift.  Rhaea has astonishingly won her weight class at the last 10 National Championships.  As well, she was named Canadian Powerlifting Union Female Powerlifter of the Year in 2005, 2006, 2008, 2009, and 2010; and named Canadian Female Bencher of the Year in 2008, 2009, and 2010.  Rhaea has also achieved the strongest female pound-for-pound lifter award from 2008-2012. 



Her all-time best lifts are: 235k squat, 157.5k bench press, and 205.5k deadlift. 


Rhaea has a strong commitment to the growth of powerlifting generally.  She is a member of the Saskatchewan Powerlifting Executive Committee, a national-level referee, as well as an accomplished Meet Director for various local meets, and National and World Championships.  As well, Rhaea has started an online retail business called Inner Strength Products that supplies powerlifting and exercise equipment.  Outside of powerlifting, Rhaea recently tied the knot with the president of the Canadian Powerlifitng Union, Ryan Stinn, and has just started a career as a high school science teacher. 


For more on Rhaea, Please visit her website:
www.RhaeStinn.com. 


The competitions

The 27th World University Summer Games, in Kazan, Russia, July 6 - 17, 2013. 

The World University Games is a mult-sport event, hosted every two years, and includes an international slate of athletes from over 45 countries.  To qualify an athlete needs to be in the top of their country's standings and be considered a full-time student.  The city of Kazan is called the "Sports Capital of Russia".   This event is particularly important to the host city because it's the first multi-sport competition in the history of modern Russia.  There is expected to be over 4000 athletes involved at this year's Games. 

The 2013 World Games, in  Cali, Colombia, July 25 - August 4, 2013.


The World Games is held every four years, with 36 sports currently participating.  The event is recognized by the International Olympic Committee, which is significant in the sport of powerlifting since powerlifting is not yet an Olympic sport.  The inclusion of powerlifting in the World Games is a sign that powerlifting is one step closer to becoming an Olympic sport.  Only 40 men and 40 women in the World were invited to participate in the powerlifting portion of the Games, Rhaea was the only person in Canada, male or female, to qualify. 

How can you support? 

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Both of these girls have started online fundraising campaigns to help alleviate the cost of travel to these competitions.  The online platforms allow both these athletes to accept donations through PayPal or credit card.  Any support will help, whether you donate money, or share this post with others.  Please see the fundraising links below to donate.   
SUPPORT RACHEL
SUPPORT RHAEA

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