Panthers' lifter Curtis Hebert performs the dead lift. PHOTO SUBMITTED.
Saturday saw a great display of heavy lifting as the third annual Northern Ontario Open Powerlifting contest was staged at Canadore College’s Commerce Court gym.
A total of 55 lifters from eight OPA affiliated teams took part. A number of provincial records were set, including some by local members of the newly formed Valhalla Powerlifting team.
Jan Shulman, a novice competitor, led off for the Valhalla team with a third place total in the 52 kilo class. More importantly though, Shulman set all new Master 3 provincial age class records by registering 45 kilos in the squat, 32.5 kilos in the bench press, and a very impressive 65 kilos in the deadlift.
Shulman’s teammate, Tracey Ringuette, also a first time competitor, won the silver medal in the 57 kilo class. Tracey succeeded with 57.5 kilos in the squat, 45 in the bench press, and 77.5 in the deadlift.
On the men’s side of the competition two North Bay lifters were weight class winner.
Blaine Leblond of the Valhalla team emerged as the 74 kilo champion and one of the top performers of the entire meet. Apart from winning his weight class by a wide margin, Leblond also set three new Ontario junior (under 23 years) records. His individual lift records were 212.5 kilos in the squat, and 140 in the bench press. He also deadlifted 217.5 kilos, and his total of 570 was another new provincial best.
In the next heavier division, 83 kilos and under, Curtis Hebert of the Canadore Panthers team took the top spot. Hebert totalled 532.5 with lifts of 185 kilos in the squat, 115 in the bench press, and 232.5 in the deadlift for a 532.5 total.
There were three silver medals won by the Canadore Panthers men. Matt McGillvray was second in the 66 kilo class with a 442.5 total. Meanwhile, Kyle Montgomery registered 527.5 for the runner-up spot in the 93 kilo class. Tyler Wareham, put up a new personal best record total of 690 to take second in the 120 kilo class. His best marks included a 170 kilo bench press and a 275 kilo deadlift.
Local bronze medallists included: Scott Shulman of the Valhalla club, in the 83 kilo class, and Jordan Tallis of the Panthers in the 93 kilo division. Shulman totalled 485 via a squat of 157.5, a bench press of 107.5, and a deadlift of 220 kilos. Tallis made 182.5 in the squat, 110 in the bench press, and 235 in the deadlift for a 520 kilo aggregate.
Valhalla lifter Kevin Ferris was fourth in the 83 class with a 452.5 kilo total; while Jordan Franks of the Panthers made 502.5 kilos for the same finish in the 93 kilo grouping.
The best male lifter, according to formula, was Ottawa native Erik Willis, the 120 kilo male champion. Blaine Leblond was second by formula, and Tyler Wareham was ranked third. The best female lifter was Maya Levin of Ottawa, the female 63 kilo class winner. The team trophy went to the Carleton Ravens Powerlifting Club. The Ultimate Fitness club of Renfrew was second, and the Canadore Panthers were third in team scoring.
