NANAIMO — A pair of local power lifters will head to Norway to compete at the World Bench Press Championship.
Tyler Ollech will compete as a junior and Margot Croft in masters.
Both finished first in their categories at the Canadian Championship in March.
Ollech has only been competing since 2023 but is feeling well prepared ahead of the May 17 competition.
“Right now my lifts are feeling really good. Based on how I felt before the last couple of competitions, my lifts were feeling a little bit messy. We’re really going to see how this one goes, mainly because in the gym I was able to perform way better than I was on stage but for this one we seem to be dialing it in a lot more.”
Croft’s first competition was at age 60 so she also has come a long way in the sport in a short time.
“I certainly was involved in sports on a very minor level throughout my life. This was sort of something I just fell into. The people within the power lifting community are really lovely and supportive, it’s not that whole cutthroat ‘I have to beat you’, it’s much more supportive. It was just a really good fit for where I am at this particular point in my life.”
Ollech is optimistic if he performs at his peak he could have a very high finish.
“Based off past years, with my lifts the way they we’re sitting, I could be anywhere from top 10 to maybe top two. There’s a lot of variability on the world stage [with] who’s able to lift that year because injuries happen a lot through the top guys.”
In preparation for the world championship Croft has been training four times a week.
She hasn’t lifted the same weight as the very top athletes in her category but is hopeful of a top five finish if things go well.
“There are other ladies who are lifting 20 more kilos than I do, so it’s hard to know what to happen on the platform, because stuff just happens on a platform or on a day. You get into the rhythm of it, and I’m sure lots of people say this, it’s a great stressful reliever. You get the community in the gym to who are cheering you on, which is really fun too.”
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