For her first time out, it wasn’t bad. Tammie Shawcross of Assiniboia went to Regina on August 26-27 to participate in the Saskatchewan Powerlifting Provincial Championship and ended up breaking a record. Her achievement was all the more amazing because it was her first time competing.
Powerlifting is a strength sport that consists of three attempts at maximal weight on three lifts: squat, bench press and deadlift. Shawcross competed in the Classic Bench M1 category. She lifted 102.5 kg smashing the previous provincial record. She was recognized as the Best Lifter in the Classic Female Bench. The provincial championship is an annual competition. With this win, Shawcross now has an opportunity to go on to compete in the nationals.
Shawcross got interested in the sport last year. Three years ago she started working out with weights to get fit. She trains with her husband who is a bodybuilder and trainer. She fell in love with the sport. At the gym, everyone was amazed at how much she could lift. Buoyed by this support, it was then that Shawcross looked into competitions and inquired at the Saskatchewan Powerlifting Association about events.
It’s becoming more accepted for women to be involved in weightlifting and powerlifting, but it’s still very unusual for older women to get involved in the sport of powerlifting. Shawcross was amazed at the atmosphere of support and comradery among the competitors in women’s powerlifting. As for the future, Shawcross hopes to build on this incredible sporting achievement and attend more competitions.
