Dean Patrow of Fort Frances lifted his way to three national records at the recent Canadian Drug-Free Powerlifting Championships in Taber, Alta.
Patrow, 42, smashed Canadian records by squatting 672 pounds and bench pressing 407 pounds. He also deadlifted 590 pounds.
The combined total of 1,669 also was a Canadian record but Patrow admitted he fell short of his pre-competition goal of a 1,700 total. He was hoping to squat 700 pounds, which he considers his forte.
“I trained all winter but because I was too busy, I couldn’t train as much on my squats,” said the 5’10” Patrow, who went into the competition weighing 324 pounds, up from the 314 he weighed for the world showdown last year.
Patrow said the extra weight helped him with the bench press and the deadlift but hindered him in the squats.
Still, Patrow dominated the competition, which attracted 120 lifters, and now receives an automatic berth to the World Drug-Free Championships in the U.S. in October.
Last year, Patrow represented Canada at the worlds and finished in top spot in the Masters under 319 pound division, beating U.S. champ John Ford of California.
There, Patrow had a 1,660 pound total, based on a 680-pound squat lift, a 395 bench press, and a 580-pound deadlift.
Patrow said powerlifting is pushing to become an Olympic sport, which he hopes will attract younger athletes in the area to get involved.
Five or six here in town now train for competitions.
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