International weightlifting competition returns to Centre Wellington in September
ELORA – An international weightlifting competition will be taking place in Elora this September, and organizers are encouraging athletes of all levels to sign up.
The True North True Strength 2026 Open is set for Sept. 19.
It’s the third year Chris Frappier is organizing the event in Centre Wellington, and it will take place at RT Health Company in Elora again this year.
The competition is open to all genders, body weights, sizes and lifting abilities.
“We had a terrific turnout of women competing (many for the first time) the past two years, and we really want to see even more women join the fun as well,” Frappier told the Advertiser.
And fun is at the core of the event, he added, noting, “It’s going to be an epic day filled with positive energy, records being broken and new friendships made.”
Last year, the new friendships included one between 17-year-old Becca Gardner and 79-year-old Alix McGregor. And the 30 athletes competing set 100 records between them.
That included five for McGregor, one for Gardner, four for Arthur’s Salina Vailutti, four for Fergus’ Jeremy Law, two for Frappier and two for his son, Kyle Frappier.
Other record setters were Tony Lupo with five, Jacob Ford-Roussel and Joe Somfay with four and John Culbert with three.
This year’s event is officially sanctioned by the Old Time Strongman Organization.
“It is a brand new, unified global group with one official rule book for the whole world,” Frappier told the Advertiser.
Primary sponsors for the event are Bester Bookkeeping, Co-Operators Craig Janzen and Associates, YouTopia Medical Spa, Ecclestone Financial Group and Grand River Physiotherapy.
The event is also sponsored by Wightman, Dreamland Pet, Station Earth, Summit Laser Manufacturing, Popeye’s Supplements (Orangeville), Inclusive Fitness, Inner Strength Products and Nemesis Grips.
Registration is open now for athletes interested in competing in the True North True Strength 2026 Open.
Frappier encourages “any local athletes who want to try something new, test their limits in a totally fun and supportive environment, and meet a great group of positive, high-energy people” to sign up for the event.
For more information or to register, visit oldtimestrongman.org/events/true-north-true-strength-2026-open/ or follow @truenorth_truestrength and @oldtimestrongmanorg on Instagram.
