Vernon Powerlifters Gear Up for World Championship: Their Inspiring Journey to Glory!

Teresa Gilman and Marc Vezina, two dedicated lifters from Vernon, are gearing up for the World Bench Press Championships in Norway. Their journeys to this moment are both inspiring and unique.

Teresa’s story began at the gym when a stranger approached her. He noted her impressive lifting and suggested she try powerlifting. Initially, she was hesitant. “Powerlifting? I had never heard of it,” said Teresa, 52, who, together with her husband Mike, decided to explore this new sport.

That stranger turned out to be Barry Antoniow, a ten-time Canadian Bench Press champion. Intrigued by his encouragement, they hired him as Teresa’s coach. Fast forward two years, and Teresa has since won multiple regional and national titles, qualifying her for Team Canada.

Next month, she will compete at the World Bench Press Classic and Equipped Championships in Draamen, Norway. “It’s my first time at worlds, and I’m really excited,” Teresa shared before heading to Portugal for a vacation.

As part of her training, Teresa has focused on diet and weight management. Competing in the Masters 2 Female Division (ages 50-59), she must weigh in at 76 kg (about 167 lbs). “She’s three pounds over, so she has to cut down,” Mike explained, noting the challenges of dieting for competition.

The competition has strict rules. In classic bench pressing, competitors use a one-piece lifting suit. In equipped bench pressing, they can wear a special bench shirt. Lifters must keep their body in specific positions while lifting, ensuring every detail meets the competition standards.

Teresa previously won the Canadian championship last September in Prince Edward Island, where she pressed 75 kg, securing her spot at the North American championships in Costa Rica. She repeated her success there, cementing her status as a top contender.

Marc Vezina, another local lifter, also has high hopes for Norway. Last year, he finished fourth in his age group at the World Championships held in Austin, TX. “I returned to bench pressing in the last 15 years,” said the 66-year-old former educator, who initially started lifting in the 1980s. Marc has seen the sport evolve and adapt, reflecting broader changes in fitness culture.

He qualified for Norway by winning the Canadian championship in his category with a classic bench press of 100 kg and an equipped lift of 120 kg. His goal for the upcoming competition is to place in the top six in the equipped category and the top twelve in classic.

As they prepare for this global event, both athletes are motivated by personal goals. Teresa aims to achieve an 85 kg classic press, while Marc emphasizes enjoying the experience and simply getting three successful lifts.

The 2025 World Championships in Norway is set to feature competitors from around 70 countries. Events like this highlight not just personal achievements but also the global community that powerlifting fosters. As interest in fitness continues to rise, events like these bring together strong and passionate individuals from all walks of life.

For more detailed information on powerlifting championships and athlete qualifications, you can check out the [International Powerlifting Federation (IPF)](https://www.powerlifting.sport/) for the latest updates and rules.

Source link

Vernon|Power lifting