MOOSE JAW -- Moose Jaw’s Mava Brydges just keeps trucking along when it comes to finding success at elite powerlifting competitions.
This week during the Canadian Powerlifting Union National Championships was no exception, as the 67-year-old multiple-time champion took top spot in the women’s 84 kilogram equipped division while also setting a national record in the squat for her age and weight category.
Brydges cleared 131 kg in the squat to break her own national record by half a kilogram in addition to hitting 90 kg in the bench press and 137.5 kg in the deadlift for a 318.5 total.
“I wanted to break that national record in bench, too, I hold it as it is, so I just wanted to chip it, but some days it goes like that,” Brydges said shortly after her performance at the Moose Jaw Exhibition Centre. “I was very happy with my squats, though, I didn't think I'd be able to get the squat in because I'm having difficulties with my knees. So the ultimate goal was to break that squat record for sure and it was nice to get it.”
Brydges currently holds all the Canadian records in the Masters 3 76 kg division and all but the deadlift mark in the 84 kg class.
It’s all the product of decades of dedication and success for the veteran lifter, especially as she continues to compete in the Masters age classes.
“You know, I'll be 68 years old this summer, and I've been really blessed with a lot of success in this kind of sport,” Brydges said. “It's a great sport and although it's a singular sport, it's also a team sport. Especially with equipped lifting, with all the equipment, you need spotters, you need people to help you…There's a whole family behind you.”
That was the case literally this week, too, as with the event taking place in Moose Jaw, there have been plenty of familiar faces in the crowd. That will once again be the case when Brydges returns to the stage on Saturday for the bench press only competition.
“Hopefully it will go better than this bench lift, but my granddaughter will be here, so it’ll be fun.” Brydges said.
Action continues all day Friday and Saturday at the Moose Jaw Exhibition Centre, and you or all the results and the upcoming lifting schedule.
