Skip to main content

National powerlifting competition brings strong athletes to P.E.I.

Share

Tillman Gallant might be 76 years old, but he’s strength is seemingly timeless. The Summerside, P.E.I., resident was one of hundreds of powerlifters at a national competition in the Maritime province this week.

“I love lifting weights,” said Gallant, who earned a spot to the world championships in Norway. “It keeps me going. I feel more like I’m 50 than I am 76.

“Hopefully when I’m 80 I’ll still be with it.”

The 2024 Canadian Powerlifting Union’s national championships is being held in the Credit Union Place in Summerside until Saturday. The event brings together more than 700 powerlifters seeking to test their mettle.

Caryn Kwai-pun from Ottawa has been preparing for the competition for months.

“It’s a lot of days in the gym, lots of training, it’s pushing a lot of weight and a lot nutrition goes into it, too,” Kwai-pun said. “I came in a little bit under (weight) today, so I’m just trying to feed myself good food.”

An athlete attempts a bench press. (CTV/Josh Smith)

Tanner Doiron with the City of Summerside said the event should have a strong economic impact on the region.

“We’ve gotten a lot of good comments from local business owners,” Doiron said. “They’re liking to see that extra business in the shoulder season, so it’s been really good.”

Event organizer Josh MacDonald is encouraging people to check out the event as it enters its last few days.

“There’s going to be a lot of head-to-head battles for international teams,” he said. “You’re going to see some Canadian records being crushed and potentially unofficial world records.”

For more Prince Edward Island news visit our dedicated provincial page.

CTVNews.ca Top Stories

Quebec premier wants to ban praying in public

Premier François Legault took advantage of the last day of the parliamentary session on Friday to announce to 'Islamists' that he will 'fight' for Quebec values and possibly use the notwithstanding clause to ban prayer in public places such as parks.

Northern Ontario man sentenced for killing his dog

WARNING: This article contains graphic details of animal abuse which may be upsetting to some readers. A 40-year-old northern Ontario man is avoiding prison after pleading guilty to killing his dog earlier this year.

Stay Connected