Local powerlifter muscles her way to gold at national competition

You could say it was a long weight for Kayla Casey. But the Oro-Medonte resident muscled her way to gold at the Canadian Powerlifting Union Western Championships earlier this month.

Going into the event on March 8 in Moose Jaw, Sask., Casey faced several challenges that hurt her odds of having success.

"This was one of the most stressful meet preps that I have had," she said. "I was really struggling with my weight cut months prior and even during the week leading up to the competition."

Casey, 36, also struggled with the time zone difference and shorter-than-usual rest during the competition.

"There were a lot of external factors that weren't necessarily in my favour. It took a toll on me both physically and mentally," she said.

Casey, a Park Street Collegiate Institute graduate and a Rama paramedic, says winning the 57-kilogram weight class at the competition was a huge accomplishment for her, especially because of her lack of experience in the sport.

"I still consider myself new to the sport," she said. "There are athletes who have been doing it for many more years than I have."

Casey, who fully committed to weightlifting in 2021, says she is starting to experience a breakthrough.

"It's always nice to come away with gold, especially because, for the longest time, I kept consistently getting silver," she said.

While she is thrilled to have won gold, she expected more of herself. Her goal was to exceed her best total score of 412.5 kg through the squat, bench, and dead-lift competitions. Instead, she matched the score.

"I put what I could on the platform that day," she said. "It ended up still getting me gold at that meet."

Casey credits her coach, Garrett Bentley, for helping her persevere through adversity.

"Trusting in my coach and knowing that he knows what is best for me is a big part of the success," she said.

She is preparing to compete in Austin, Texas, in May during the World Bench Press Championships.

"I'm hoping to bench press at least 100 kg," she said. "We are adding more bench work and accessory work right now to supplement my bench press."

During the Canadian Powerlifting Union Western Championships, Casey scored her personal-best bench press of 97.5 kg.

"It was the most beautiful bench I've ever hit," she said. "I'm confident that I can hit 100. Everything is bigger in Texas, so maybe I'll hit 102."