Fans of powerlifting and the incredible limits of human physical strength will have a unique opportunity to view the first event of its kind in the foothills at the Okotoks Centennial Centre on Feb. 11.
The Turner Valley-based Foothills Power Lifting Association (FPA) is hosting the Canadian Challenge, Feb. 11 at 10 a.m. in Okotoks. The event will feature 20-25 powerlifters, composed largely of local competitors as well as individuals ranging from Kelowna to Fort McMurray, said meet director Heather Stiller.
The Challenge Cup is a 100 Per cent Raw Powerlifting Federation sanctioned event featuring three divisions of competition: bench pressing, squatting and dead-lifting. Stiller said the raw powerlifting differs from the equipped powerlifting in that the latter features athletes wearing bench shirts, squat suits and extra equipment that enables the competitors to lift more. The raw powerlifters use only their natural strength a t-shirt, a wrestling singlet and a weightlifting belt to prevent injuries.
“If I say that I’m going to dead lift 125 pounds or I’m going to bench press 125 pounds it’s me, I can do it 24-7,” Stiller said. “Whereas the equipped lifters might be lifting a lot more weight, but they have to get into their appropriate apparatus first.”
The Canadian Challenge includes the Feb. 11 competition in Okotoks as well as a simultaneous event in Scarborough, Ont.
“What we’ll be doing is comparing the results after the competitions to declare who’s the best lifter Canada wide for this federation,” Stiller said.
The Canadian Challenge will also showcase some up-and-comers in the 11 and under age category. Tickets for the Feb. 11 event go for $10 per person with all proceeds going towards Special Olympics Canada, said Stiller. For more information go to www.powerlifter.ca or email [email protected].
