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A Swift Current-based powerlifting legend, formerly from Moose Jaw, has claimed his 10th National Championship and set a new record.
Wayne Cormier, a Hall of Fame powerlifter, won his 10th National gold medal on May 11 after a four-and-a-half-year hiatus. He claimed victory with a record-setting 270 lbs benchpress, breaking the previous Masters Five record of 264 lbs.
Cormier preparing himself to lift the record setting lift. (photo courtesy of Wayne Cormier on Facebook)
Cormier was thrilled with the win, considering he had declared both the win and the record all the way back in March.
"It's a bit bold and it might sound a bit arrogant, but it's only arrogant if you can't do it," said Cormier. "After five decades, I honestly believe I've earned the right to say it."
This was a return to the sport of powerlifting for Cormier, following his retirement in 2020 due to injury and illness. In order to facilitate his comeback, he trained 20 hours a week, had a whole new nutrition and diet designed, and put a strong focus on recovery.
In the end, the 62-year-old managed to not only obtain his goal weight for the competition but was able to achieve what he described as a perfect lead-up to the event with zero strains, tears, or injuries of any kind.
"It's one of those things where I'm almost more happy about the contest prep than I am with the gold medal and the record," said Cormier. "I had no injuries. The diet was perfect. There were no hunger pains. There was none of that. I wish I could package the way that it went and just take it out of the bag every time I compete."
Longevity in a sport like powerlifting as consistent as Cormier's is rare. He is a Canadian Hall of Fameer, Saskatchewan Hall of Famer, and has been inducted into the Moose Jaw & District Sports Hall of Fame twice. This is his third Masters record, having set one in 2020 in the Master Five category at 325 lbs, and again in 2014 when he set the Saskatchewan record at 362 lbs. Now, with his third record, he has considered what his legacy really looks like for himself.
"I was never a great lifter," said Cormier. "Some would say no, that's not true. But I would say I was a good lifter for 50 years. I've been in the top five in Canada for going on five decades. My legacy, I want to be remembered as a good lifter."
Cormier plans to continue to compete, with aspirations to drop a weight class and return to nationals.