In December 2024, the National Youth Weightlifting Championship showcased the exceptional talents of young athletes from the Vaudreuil-Soulanges region. Student-athletes from the Sport-études program at École secondaire de la Cité-des-Jeunes (ESCJ) put in remarkable performances, collecting medals and personal bests.

The competition, held online, required special logistics, as coaches had to film the athletes' performances to ensure they met national standards. Despite this unusual format, the young weightlifters rose to the challenge with flying colors.

“We had to film the athletes and send the videos to the judges, who evaluated the lifts. Points are awarded on technique, not aesthetics,” explains Amélie Poirier, head coach of the Club d'haltérophilie du Centre d'excellence des Trois-Lacs (CDE3L).

Gold medals and personal bests

Alizée Fortin and Maïka Turcotte shared the honours, both finishing with gold medals after lifting a total of 113 kg each. Alizée managed a clear round, while Maïka scored a 5/6. Both athletes set new personal bests in both movements and in the combined total.

Raphaëlle Brisebois also shone, recording a personal best in the snatch for a total of 103 kg and a solid 4/6.

For her part, Arielle Cameron concluded the competition with a new personal best in the snatch and a total of 97 kg, landing 4/6 of her attempts.

Antoine Paré, in his first year of weightlifting, impressed by setting three personal bests, reaching a total of 108 kg with a ratio of 5/6. He also won the gold medal in his category.

The only athlete outside the Sports-studies program, Maxime Lévesque dominated his category, taking gold with an impressive total of 138 kg and an excellent ratio of 5 successful attempts out of 6.

In the coming weeks, the athletes will take part in qualifying for the Quebec Games. “Even if there are no Quebec Games this winter, the youngsters have to take part in the qualifiers. It gives them a good idea for the real qualifiers next year, and above all, it allows them to see the level of the other youngsters,” adds Ms. Poirier.

The next real competition will take place in May at the Student Championships, which will bring together athletes from different Quebec schools. Finally, in June, they'll head to Saskatchewan for the Canadian Junior Championships.