Dylan Stride, Warren John and Devin Benoit, from Conne River, clearly demonstrated at a recent powerlifting contest in Stephenville that they are among the best power lifters in Newfoundland and Labrador.
The trio was competing in their first ever power-lifting competition and it was evident that their hard work, training and dedication to the sport paid off.
Warren John was the first lifter from Conne River to start at the event and he lifted at the body weight of 75kg although he only weighed in at 72.1kg. John lifted as if he had been competing for years and went nine for nine in his attempts and finished the competition with a 280 lb squat, a 237 lb bench press and a 402 dead lift.
It is worthwhile to note that John did not use any supportive suits or even a weight belt in any of his lifts. In addition, John qualified to compete at the National level in his first ever event. John placed second in his division.
The biggest guy in the Conne River trio was Dylan Stride who lifted in the 125 plus kg (275 lbs.) weight category and completed eight out of nine attempts. He finished the competition with a 280 lb squat, a 225 lb bench press and a 308 lb dead lift.
Stride was probably the most entertaining lifter from Conne River to watch because of his energy. He set five provincial records including the class squat, bench press, dead lift and also the total record because there has never been a sub-junior lifter at the 125 plus kg weight division.
The final lifter from the community was Devin Benoit who competed in the 110 kg (242 lbs) weight class but weighed light with the bodyweight of 233 lbs. He lifted extremely well especially since he is only 15 years old.
Benoit finished the event with a personal best squat of 325 lbs, a bench press of 242 lbs and pulled a massive 425 lbs. He set five provincial records in his class in the squat, bench press, dead lift and total because there ahs never been a sub-junior lifter at the 110 kg weight division.
All three lifters showed that they have what it takes to do well in power lifting and have huge potential in the sport. In addition, these lifters are extremely motivated to get back in the gym to start training for their next competition which will likely be the Eastern Canadians in November in St. John’s.
The powerlifting National competition will be held in Prince Edward Island next year in March. To compete in the National event and represent their province is a long-term goal for these young athletes and many other sub-junior lifters from across Atlantic Canada.
Coach Paul McDonald was very impressed with the lifting from all three and was amazed how each of them performed under pressure. To go eight for nine or nine for nine in their first competition is something to be proud of because lifting in a powerlifting meet is very technical and to get a lift passed in competition can be very hard.
.jpg)
.jpg)
