An amazing story of resiliency and overcoming adversity unfolded recently for a North Bay powerlifter.
Jennifer McConnell suffered a complete achilles rupture from an unrelated sport, that required surgery 10 months ago. She was told that she may never be as strong again, and to lower expectations about returning to her previous level of sport and athleticism.
But that didn't stop McConnell from competing at the 20th annual Regional Powerlifting Championships which were held in Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands August 8 to 12.
The event saw over 300 competitors represented by 13 countries. Jennifer McConnell was one of 68 team Canada members selected for the event.
In the sport of powerlifting, each athlete performs 3 lifts- squat, bench and deadlift, and has 3 attempts to lift his/her maximum weight. The most successful weight from each lift is used to secure a total for overall placing.
McConnell competed in the Master 1 (age 40-49 division) in the 57kg weight class. She started the day off with squats finishing with 120kg, winning a gold medal. She opened her next lift- bench press with 71kg. This broke the previous North American record. She went back out to break the record again by another 5kg with a successful lift of 76kg which awarded her the gold. She finished the competition with a 142.5kg deadlift, earning a silver medal for the event.
Her overall total was enough to safely secure the overall gold medal and North American Championship title for Canada.
"I am extremely pleased with my performance", said McConnell.
"It has been a very long and challenging recovery to date and though it is expected that it will take another year until I am fully healed, I couldn't be happier with the progress I've made so far.
McConnell says during her recovery, she didn't bear any weight on her foot for close to three months.
"Despite the huge setback, I worked slowly and carefully with a physiotherapist to rebuild the stability and strength of the ankle and relearn how to walk, and this win means a lot. It is evidence that I have come back stronger both mentally and physically. I am so grateful to have the opportunity to lift again, and so proud to bring back gold for our country."
McConnell will compete next month at Provincials in Bowmanville, Ontario. This will be the first qualifier for the 2024 World Championships held in Sun City, South Africa next year.
