ELORA – Muscles were flexing, music was pumping, people were cheering and 100 records were set at a recent weightlifting competition in Elora.
The second annual True North True Strength Open took place at the RT Health Company in Elora on Aug. 23.
For competition organizer Chris Frappier, the event is a “Celebration of Champions.”
It’s the second year Frappier has organized the competition, and last year’s event was Canada’s first sanctioned international all-round weightlifting competition.
“This year we had a sold-out field of competitors, and the energy in the room was electric,” Frappier said.
Athletes ranged in age from 18-year-old Becca Gardner to 79-year-old Alix McGregor.
“Lifters pushed themselves to new personal bests, and several records were set or broken,” Frappier said.
“Beyond the individual performances, though, what stood out was the sense of community – people cheering for each other, supporting first-time competitors and celebrating each successful lift as if it were their own.”
Records
Frappier was among those to break records, breaking both international and North American records when he lifted 560 pounds in the Bavarian deadlift, as well as for his team barbell deadlifts.
Arthur resident Salina Vailutti achieved four international and North American records during the competition, lifting 300 pounds in the Bavarian deadlift, 205 pounds in the behind-the-back lurich lift and 40 pounds each in the crucifix and cyr press.
Vailutti also placed second overall in the competition’s women’s division.
It was her first time competing in weightlifting.
“It wasn’t my goal to get a world record this year – I was kind of just excited to be part of the competition,” Vailutti told the Advertiser.
She heard about the True North True Strength competition last year when it was held at the gym she works out at – Anytime Fitness in Fergus.
And when Frappier announced he’d be hosting the event this year, Vailutti figured “you know what, I’m going to do it.”
Salina Vailutti lifted 205 pounds in a Lurich Lift, setting an international record. Photo by AJ Coghill of ALCO Visuals
Frappier said Vailutti was hesitant when she first approached him to inquire about the competition, “but she trained hard, built confidence, and came away with an impressive set of records.”
Vailutti said Frappier was encouraging and supportive, and helped her with tips and advice while she trained for the competition.
Along with practicing lifts, Vailutti said training involved changing her diet to focus on foods that made her feel healthier.
Fergus resident Jeremy Law competed last year and at that time saw it as something to cross off a bucket list. But after feeling the sense of camaraderie at last year’s event, he decided to volunteer to help out this year.
Law helped to secure sponsors for the event, and also worked to become a certified official so he could adjudicate the record-breaking lifts.
To earn certification, Law completed a written test along with three practicals.
Three officials must be present to record world records, and last year Frappier needed to bring judges in from the United States in order to meet that quota.
“Having them local means we don’t have to bring them in for future events and people here can compete whenever we want and break records,” Law said.
Law himself broke records, with a 435-pound Bavarian deadlift (for which he was the former record holder too), 275-pound Hackenschmidt floor press, 70-pound crucifix lift and 80-pound cyr press.
Jeremy Law lifted 435 during the Bavarian deadlift, beating his own world record. Photo by AJ Coghill of ALCO Visuals
Overall 100 records were achieved during the day – 50 world records and 50 United States All-Round Weightlifting Association (USAWA) records.
Canadian weightlifters are newly eligible to set USAWA records, thanks to Frappier.
He proposed the association allow Canadian members to set records during a July USAWA meeting, which led to the official change after a two-thirds majority vote.
Camaraderie
All three athletes described the encouraging and supportive atmosphere of the competition.
“My intent has always been to create the best possible overall experience for every lifter – regardless of competition experience, weight class or skill level,” said Frappier said.
Law said although the event is a competition, “Everyone is not at odds – it’s a very supportive environment.”
Frappier noted, “Simply getting to competition day is no small achievement. Many athletes never make it that far due to injuries, health issues, work commitments, or simply fear of competing …
“Everyone who trains, travels and steps onto the platform has already overcome something significant.”
While many of the athletes at the competition were local the area, others travelled from as far as northern Ontario, Missouri and Kentucky.
Vailutti said she didn’t really know anyone else competing in the event, but “as soon as you walk in everybody just embraces you and you are part of the team.”
She said everyone cheers for each other and offers each other help.
“Even one of my lifts I had failed and people were still cheering, (saying) ‘good try,’ and ‘you’ll get it next time,’” she said.
And even when people are competing against each other in the same class for the same record, the cheering doesn’t waver, Law added.
He’s been weightlifting for almost a decade, and though it started out as a way to improve his health and fitness, said now it’s become something addictive.
“You push yourself a little more, see gains and it really just snowballs from there,” he said.
“Once you get into it, it’s something that’s hard to get out of because it is enjoying, (particularly) the self challenging aspect.”
Vailutti said she enjoys weightlifting because of how it makes her feel.
“I just feel really proud of myself when I lift a heavy weight and I’m like ‘oh, this is awesome.’”
Vailutti said as a stay-at-home mom with a four- and six-year-old, weightlifting is something special she can go out and do for herself.
She first got into weightlifting with her mom, who came to cheer her on during the competition.
Frappier said he is planning to organize a third True North True Strength Open in 2026.
