These ‘jacked’ moms win world medals, showing Sask. strength in powerlifting

Regina is home to some of the strongest women in the world — proven when three local women medalled at an international powerlifting competition last week.

“When you hear that you’ve gotten that lift, the emotion comes that you don’t expect,” said 58-year-old Sherry McEachern, who placed second overall in her class (Masters 2, 84+ kg) at the World Masters Powerlifting Championships in South Africa. 

“It was a very intense feeling,” agreed 42-year-old Sandi Klempner, who placed third in her class (Masters 1, 84 kg) and deadlifted more than 390 pounds at her first-ever international competition. 

“I fought hard out there. We lifted some really heavy weights, and I overexceeded my expectations to be honest, and so it was very exciting … so unexpected,” Klempner said.

Emmannuelle Archambault, 49, has competed in three world championships and four international competitions, but she said the feeling of winning never gets old after all the hours put into training, physiotherapy, nutrition and more.

She placed third in her class (Masters 1, 76 kg) last week and broke her own previously held national record by bench pressing 214.9 pounds.

“When you get to the platform, you literally have nine minutes to prove that you have put this work in,” Archambault said. “And so, when you get a lift … it just feels fantastic.”

The three women were part of a delegation of 14 Canadian women who competed at the championship. 

Klempner said she believes there’s something special about the Saskatchewan community that inspires middle-aged women to embrace the sport, with a lot of gyms providing a welcoming space for all body types and ages.

“We don’t have a ton of professional sports, especially for older women.”

The inclusivity for middle-aged women was a big draw for Archambault as well. 

After several years of competing in bodybuilding competitions, she said she was turned off by the extreme dieting required. She turned to powerlifting during the pandemic years and was immediately hooked.

“I could just compete at whatever body weight I was,” she said, adding she also really liked the personal challenge powerlifting offered. 

“There was something super ignited in me.”

She also finds there are physical benefits in growing stronger as she gets older. With her bones strong and dense, she worries less about slipping and hurting herself.

McEachern got into powerlifting two years ago, after participating in a women’s weightlifting program at a local gym. She was drawn to the idea of pushing her personal boundaries.

“As a senior athlete, I really liked to move heavy weight. I wanted to see how heavy I could go,” she said.

She was also inspired by the idea of staying strong for her family. Her daughter was pregnant at the time with her grandson, who is now two years old.

“I thought, ‘Nothing cooler than seeing how strong grandma can get,’” she said, adding this has only become more important to her as time goes on.

“Can you get down on the floor to play with your grandchild? Can you get up? Can you pick them up?” she said, adding that was the motivation to be able to stay active with him.

All three said their kids are impressed by their strong moms.

Klempner has two daughters, aged six and eight.

“I’m not sure how much they really grasp, but they know mom lifts a lot of weights, her face gets very red when she lifts, and they get very excited and are very proud,” she said.

Meanwhile Archambault has three teenage sons, with her youngest sending a message to her in South Africa telling her how proud he was. Another of her sons recently bragged to a friend that his mom was “jacked.”

“They see what I’m doing,” said Archambault. “And in my mind, it is never too late, and they’re going to see that, too.”

McEachern said she feels empowered knowing what she’s capable of at her age. She too hopes her story will inspire others.

“I started powerlifting at 56,” she says. “People think: ‘I’ll wait until…’ or ‘I’ll start when.…’ I think you just have to pick up the bar. At 58, if I can do this … you just have to start.”