Over the past few years, NL powerlifting has seen a major swing toward younger lifters. Just look at the results from our past 2 Provincial Championships when 60% of the competitors were under the age of 23. With these young men and women joining the sport, powerlifting in NL will continue to strive for years to come (Justin Miller has the highest male wilks in Canada).  This past year Newfoundland and Labrador had 6 of these young people represent Canada at the World Sub-Junior and Junior Championships. 

With these new young lifters, we still can’t forget about the other great lifers of the past and present.  At the national level Joy Burt is ranked number 1 Open and Masters lifter of all time, Jeff Butt and Walt Forsey are ranked with the top 20 Masters lifter of all time.  Mark Holloway and Tom Kean still sit in the top 10 of overall.  This past year Newfoundland and Labrador was proud to have 3 individuals represent Canada at the World Masters Championships.

These people along with our new youth movement have and will continue to grow this great sport of powerlifting in the province. 

Since 1967 when Les Butler was president, NL lifters have had tremendous achievements. Joy Burt, Irene King and Terry Young have won world championships and Ryan Rowsell has held a world bench press record. Numerous Canadian Records are help by our lifters. At the most recent World Championships, we saw Jeff Butt, Frank Williams and Glen Cormier all come home with medals.  Let’s hope for more records to be set and more medals to come back to Canada and NL. 

Jason Fancey