Powerlifting competition at AJMC shows what’s possible with hard work and determination

The Canadian Powerlifting League (CPL) held its Alberta Provincials in Whitecourt on March 18 and 19. It’s the first time the organization has held an event in Whitecourt, and CPL President Bernice Fuss said they would be back. Years ago, there was a powerlifting meet in Whitecourt, but the sport hadn’t grown much since. Fuss said she hopes the CPL being in town boosts interest.

Fuss said that youth as young as 13 and adults 80+ could have a membership with CPL and find a home in the sport. During the Whitecourt event, a 12-year-old (Cole) joined as a guest lifter and won first place in the junior category. His father, Scott “Crusher” Wallace, was also lifting in the competition. Known in the powerlifting world thanks to his strongman titles (one State, two Provincial and one National) and his career as a trainer and football coach, Wallace took home three medals and a couple of titles.

He took the Canadian National Record for bench press in his category, pressing 341 lbs with a full pause. His reaction after the lift was huge. Wallace hollered, pumped his arm, and jumped, lapping up the crowd cheers. He also snagged a Canadian National Deadlift record, lifting 568 lbs. His emotional outbursts weren’t just for crushing his goals. It was also because Wallace has been battling cancer for the last 17 months.

The CPL competition in Whitecourt was his first meet and the 48-year-old’s return to competitive lifting. He previously beat throat cancer, having had surgery and radiation, and is now battling bone (femur, spine) and liver cancer. His diagnosis is Stage 4 Terminal, but he isn’t letting it slow him down. In a December video, he credited his family, friends, and the powerlifting/strongman community for supporting him. “Without all of you guys, who knows if I would’ve been able to beat this or fight this the way that I have. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. It aint (sic) beating me. I’m beating it. Never quit.”

The community Wallace spoke of that has supported him through his ordeal with cancer is the same community that Fuss said she loves most about being part of the CPL. She told of a personal experience in a competition where she was supported by an athlete competing in the same class. After she failed to complete a lift, the athlete turned to Fuss, who was next in line and encouraged her to do her best. “When I got home and looked at the videos, the lady competing against me was cheering me on. That’s what the sport is all about. The support is amazing.”

Whitecourtian Juliane Watson is a Provincial Level Referee with the Canadian Powerlifting League and the Meet Director of the Whitecourt event. “There are three lifts that we do. The first lift is the squat, where you squat down and then stand up. Then there’s the bench press which is holding the bar down to your chest and up again. And then there’s the deadlift, where you pick things and put them down.”

Watson said everyone is on the same playing field. “It’s a competition, but it’s also a competition against yourself. Everyone is coming out and trying to break their own records and break some national records as well.” Watson said each athlete could register for all three lifts (full power), one specific one, or a combination. “Each athlete has three attempts for each lift,” she said.

Fuss started the CPL in 2014 and has been in the sport for twenty years.

The Canadian Powerlifting League is an affiliate of the International Powerlifting League (IPL). “I’m so thankful to see the growth. Everybody is understanding and supportive. There’s new blood coming in which are bringing new ideas to helping this grow even further.” She credited Juliane Watson and Jeremy Reay for putting together the Whitecourt event and making it successful.

Watson said the more people they talked to, the more they discovered that people lift in their basements or garages but were unaware they could join something for it. “My hope in bringing this event to Whitecourt, and the AJMC has been a gorgeous venue for it, is that the sport will grow even more. We are so thankful that the town was so supportive of us bringing this here.”

The junior category is one group that Watson especially hopes to see the membership grow. “Youth can join the CPL with a membership at 13. It’s a great outlet. It’s nice, especially if you have a competitive brain mindset because it gives you little things to chip away at and work towards in a really healthy way.”

Fuss added that the CPL is a great way to learn as you go. “It’s an equal playing ground for everyone. We keep it friendly. If there’s a lift that was misunderstood or they got a red light, then we are open to having them approach us about it. If something happens on their first lift, they can learn, and on their second lift, they can correct it, and away they go. It’s such a comfortable sport where everyone supports everybody.”

Those interested in learning more about powerlifting or are curious about what it means to have a membership are encouraged to visit www.canadianpowerliftingleague.ca.