Special Olympians at Regional Powerlifting event

The local chapter of the North Bay Special Olympics Power lifting Team competed again this weekend after two year shot down. The lifters traveled to Timmins over the weekend and came home with two gold and two sliver medals. In the lighter classes Benji Chin and Kevin Greigg started the day. Benji, the reigning Ontario champion in the 56kg class decided that he would compete in the 60 Kg class and struck gold as he took the field easily. He started with an impressive 97kg squat, then followed it up with a 65kg bench and ended his day with a huge crowd pleasing 120 kg dead lift. Benji was second over all in coefficient points, which puts all the lifters at the same level, losing only to the home town hero Paul Perreault.

Kevin Greigg who also lifted in the morning had a great day only missing one lift out of nine and made 3 personal bests in each of the three disciplines. Kevin was in a tough class but managed to squeak out silver. Kevin’s top three lifts were Squat 87.5, Bench Press 55kg and Dead lift 120kg which was good enough for second place in the 67 kg class.

The afternoon session had two lifters. Mike Cozac had a great day as he cruised to a well deserved win in his weight class. Mike Cozac had some impressive lifts, the
squat 97.5 and Bench Press 77.5kg and dead lifted 120kg for the gold. North Bay’s final lifter was in the super heavy weights other wise known as the open class. Mark Bereatch started off his day and ended his day making all of his lifts and was 9 for 9. Best lifts were Squat 110kg 50kg Bench and 115 Deadlift. Good enough for second place in his class. This was a provincial qualifier for the team.

The North Bay Special Olympics team is coached by Danny Gosselin and Chris Merkley.

Submitted to BayToday.ca