Robinson takes provincial weightlifting title

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This article was published 11/12/2017 (3069 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

It was four-and-a-half years ago that Andrea Robinson decided she wanted to change her exercise routines.

The Brandonite previously competed and trained in distance running and figure competitions, like body building, but wanted something with more skill, cardio and variety. So she joined CrossFit Rocked, where she trained in CrossFit and eventually weightlifting.

That decision has earned Robinson a trip to a national championship.

On Sunday, Robinson won the 63-kg senior women’s provincial weightlifting championship after hoisting 75 pounds in the snatch — lifting the bar from the floor to above your head in one motion — and 86 pounds in the clean and jerk — lifting the bar from the floor to your shoulders and then above your head — for a total lift of 161 kg. She was named the top female lifter of the competition.

The 35-year-old, who weighs 63 kg, came into the event wanting to hit the standards to qualify for nationals, which will be held from May 19-20 in Mississauga, Ont., and was glad she was able to accomplish her goal.

“It’s just super exciting to get on to the next stage and try it out and see how it all comes together,” she said. “At my last meet I was just a couple of kilos off, so if things went really well today then that might be achievable. Everything is very precise and if the bar is not quite in the right position then you don’t make the lift. It just kind of depends on the day.”

The move from CrossFit to weightlifting wasn’t too difficult for Robinson as there is a weightlifting component to CrossFit. There are a few different rules and more technical elements in the Olympic-style weightlifting than the CrossFit style, but Robinson felt she adjusted well.

She also had the backing of her home gym at provincials, which was held at CrossFit Rocked. In fact, it was the first time Brandon has hosted a provincial or national weightlifting event since the 1979 Canada Games.

Robinson’s results and commitment to train every day, has her coach Zach McMillan proud of her accomplishments.

“We’re really proud of our work ethic leading up to this and hope for the best during a competition,” McMillan said. “Today everything was looking really good for her and we’re very happy for her.

“It’s a lot different when you’re working out and you’re comfortable in your own gym, but when you walk out on that platform you’ve got 100 people looking at you and it takes a ton of focus out there just to do what you do and not to put too much pressure on yourself. Every time we go out there, she just keeps improving and we’re excited to see where it’s all going to go.”

Both McMillan and Robinson hope hosting provincials will help the sport become more popular in southwest Manitoba.

Of the approximate 150 members of the gym, a dozen are training in weightlifting and 11 competed at provincials.

Kristy Fisher topped the senior women’s 69-kg division by lifting 150 kg, while Dory Holt and Jana Green were second and third in the 75-kg division. Holt lifted 132 kg and Green hoisted 119. Kathleen Yamamoto was third in the 53-kg division with 105 kg.

In the men’s competition, Ian Robinson lifted 238 kg to win the 94-kg weight class, while Shane McKay earned gold in the 77-kg class by lifting 221 kg. Rich Bull topped the 105-kg class after lifting 219 kg, while Matt Zeiler lifted 181 kg to earn a silver medal.

Zack McMillan got silver in the 85-kg class after lifting 246 kg. Tegan Nagorski was in the same division and lifted 193 kg.

As for Robinson, who’s a high school teacher in Carberry, now she needs to figure out if she wants to compete at nationals.

“I’m not sure if I’m even going to go,” she said. “Pretty much qualifying was a huge goal. Going there, achieving the lifts I did today or slightly better. Just participating is the goal. I don’t know what that calibre of athletes is or anything like that.”

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