“It was one of the most amazing experiences I’ve ever had.”
Cold Lake-native Janique Lafond represented Canada at the seventh annual World Women’s Classic Championships for powerlifting in Helsingborg, Sweden on June 4.
”Being able to be on the platform with people from all over the world that are competing for so many years, and seeing the strength that they had was amazing,” she continued.
Powerlifting is a competitive sport where athletes attempt to squat, bench, and deadlift the most amount of weight.
Lafond got involved in the sport less than two years ago. This was her first appearance at a worldwide competition.
In the Master Two category, she claimed bronze for squat, and came in fifth overall.
”It’s not a common thing for people to have less than two years (of experience) to be able to go to worlds,” the 54-year-old explained. “That was pretty rewarding, and quite an honour to represent Canada.”
In order to qualify for worlds, Lafond took part in local competitions, before heading to Ottawa for nationals earlier this year. It was there she placed second overall.
”You have to meet a certain total requirements for all three lifts. The total of your three lifts have to be your total amount in order to qualify to go. It’s not like you apply and you go, you have to actually meet the criteria,” she detailed.
Currently, Lafond holds a number ofprovincial records in her age category.
In squat, she’s at 107-kilograms, her best bench press is 50-kg, and she can deadlift 115-kg.
In order to submit her name to go to worlds, Lafond had to compete at a national level. Of those who threw their names in for consideration, the Canadian Powerlifting Union (CPU) selects who will represent the maple leaf.
According to Lafond, only the “best of the best” are able to participate at the competition.
Now that worlds are behind her, Lafond hopes to participate at the Commonwealth Powerlifting and Bench Press Championships happening from Sept. 14 to 21 in St. John’s, NL.
”I was going to take sometime off and go to nationals in 2020, but a bunch of my friends convinced me I should put my name forward for Commonwealth,” Lafond noted.
She plans to use the event as an opportunity to improve.
”What I would like to do is increase my three lift total in order for me to be more competitive at next year’s worlds. This gives me the opportunity to do that.”
During her short career, Lafond believes she has a “really great support system along with an amazing personal trainer.”
”I’ve been very blessed with a family and a husband that supports every decision that I make, and whenever he can make it to a competition, he’s there. My daughter has been amazing, she’s been to all of my competitions and she was with me in Sweden.”
She encouraged anyone interested in trying powerlifting to have a professional assist them in order to avoid injuries.
”Doing it with someone that is qualified is probably the best, doing it by yourself can sometimes be tricky and difficult and you could end up hurting yourself. You need to make sure you’re doing it right, so having someone by your side is probably the most important thing.”
