Regina is home to some of the strongest women in the world, as demonstrated last week by three local women who medaled in an international weightlifting competition.
“When you hear that you’ve achieved that lift, there’s an emotion that comes out that you don’t expect,” said Sherry McEachern, 58, who placed second overall in her class (Masters 2, 84+ kg) at the World Masters Powerlifting Championships in South Africa.
“It was a very intense feeling,” agreed Sandi Klempner, 42, who placed third in her class (Masters 1, 84 kg) and lifted more than 390 pounds in her first international competition.
“I fought hard out there. We lifted really heavy weights and, to be honest, I exceeded my expectations, so it was very exciting…very unexpected,” Klempner said.
Emmannuelle Archambault, 49, has competed in three world championships and four international competitions, but she said the feeling of winning never gets old after all the hours spent training, physical therapy, nutrition and more.
She placed third in her class (Masters 1, 76 kg) last week and broke her own national record that she previously held by bench pressing 214.9 pounds.
“When you get to the platform, you literally have nine minutes to prove that you’ve done this work,” Archambault said. “And then when they take you away… it feels fantastic.”
The three women were part of a delegation of 14 Canadian women who competed in the championships.
Klempner said she believes there is something special about the Saskatchewan community that inspires middle-aged women to embrace sport, with many gyms providing a welcoming space for all body types and ages.
“We don’t have a lot of professional sports, especially for older women.”
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The inclusion of middle-aged women was also a big draw for Archambault.
After several years of competing in bodybuilding competitions, she said the extreme diet required put her off. She took up weightlifting during the pandemic years and was immediately hooked.
“I could compete at any body weight I was at,” he said, adding that he also really liked the personal challenge that weightlifting offered.
“There was something super turned on in me.”
You also find that getting stronger as you age has physical benefits. With his strong, dense bones, he is less worried about slipping and getting hurt.
1 strong grandmother
McEachern got into weightlifting two years ago after participating in a women’s weightlifting program at a local gym. He was attracted to the idea of surpassing his personal limits.
