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| Bonneau’s show a hit with eight records by Shane Jones Sherwood Park News Seven Canadian records. One World record. That’s not too shabby for the first time. Colin Bonneau has become a fairly recognizable fellow in the Park over the last few years as the church organist has been one of the best powerlifters in his age range in the world with one official and two unofficial world records. He also has set eight Canadian Master Bench Press records. But he has never really had a chance to show anybody in his home community what he could do and decided to give the Park a taste by bringing the Western Canadian Open Powerlifting and Bench Press Competition to the Sherwood Park Arena last Saturday. Bonneau felt the event went off pretty well this first time and pointed to the number of records set as proof of the calibre of competitors. “My fridge is filled with urine specimens,” he laughed. “You have to send them off for testing to confirm the records. That many new records would seem to indicate a pretty good meet I think. It was fairly well attended and I got pretty good feedback. Everyone knew it was my first meet.” The lone World record was set by Vancouver’s Robert O. Smith. The 60-year-old cartoon character and voice-over professional set a new world standard for his weight class in the Masters III division with a hefty hoist of 450 lbs. Smith was eager to make the trip to the Park when he learned that Bonneau had ensured the presence of three IPF officials, enough to verify any world beating lifts. “With three international judges and IOC drug testing which you need for a World record,” he said. “It’s unusual to have all of that at a meet like that. I’m really happy to get this record. It’s been a big goal of mine. And at 60 to be lifting what a lot of guys half my age are feels pretty good.” Bonneau attempted a World record of his own in the Masters II class but with the stress of organizing the competition something of a factor, he was unable to set the new standard. “I lifted it but it wobbled and was disqualified,” he said. “They just couldn’t count it. I had a leg cramp which hampered me. People were amazed that I even tried the lift yesterday because I was so stressed out with all the work that comes with organizing an event. But I’m a little disappointed. I’m really not that surprised though.” Bonneau may not have set the World mark but he did beat his own Canadian record with his initial lift of 475 lbs. Another record of local interest was set by 16-year-old Sal Comp student Raelene Marion who was able to set the Canadian Women’s Open record in the 90+ kilo class with a lift of 212 lbs. to earn female lifter of the meet status. Male lifter honours went to recent Russian emigre Igor Shestakov who set a Canadian record in the squat. Bonneau plans on holding a similar event in the Park again in the next two years. Thanks to Jon Pearkins of Edmonton for passing on this article. |
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