A Medicine Hat weightlifter is taking her game to the next level.
Lisa Gervais, 28, will be in Virginia Friday for the Raw Powerlifting women’s world championships. Not only is she aiming to win, she’s hoping to do it in record style.
“I know that in my weight class I’m going for two world records, the bench and the squat,” she said earlier this week. “I’m 95 per cent sure as long as I’m feeling good that day I’ll have the squat.”
That’s a lot of confidence from someone who’s only ever competed once. But in August at The Grind Powerlifting Challenge in Medicine Hat, Gervais did more than enough to prove she belongs. She managed a squat of 141 kg, a bench press of 85 and a deadlift of 157.5 —instantly putting her at the top of the charts in Canada for her 82.5 kg class and third in the world in squat. The world squat record was set in 2007 by Kacie Sharp of the U.S. at 149.6 kg.
Previously serious in CrossFit, Gervais knew she was “always good at lifting” and has enjoyed the new challenge. She’s currently being coached by Colin DeWolfe of Back Alley Fitness.
“I’ve been into fitness for three years now,” said Gervais. “I think what helped most was the competition I was in. Having people in my corner that have been in the competition stage, that’s going to be huge for me.”
Raw is among several powerlifting organizations and markets itself on being drug-free, and also free of any worn aids that could artificially help someone lift more. But it’s only been around since 1999, and records in other organizations make it tough to say who’s actually the best lifter at all.
All Gervais can do is show up Friday and see how much iron she can pull.
“I’ve trained really hard for this and I’m ready,” she said. “I’m preparing myself, when I go out there it’s just another day in the gym.”
As of Monday there were no other entries in her women’s open weight class. She hopes that’ll change, but if not the records are still there to compete against. And if all goes well, she might consider trying the Canadian Powerlifting Union which is part of the International Powerlifting Federation. Their national championships are February in Regina.
Courtesy of: Medicine Hat News