Tia Braithwaite of Williams Lake recently powerlifted her way to three firsts at the 2024 WPC World Championships in Chicago, Illinois.
She placed first in both raw full power and bench-only as well as best female lifter for raw full power open age in all weight classes.
Going into the championships, she was part of team Canada and was one of the people representing Canada for team scoring.
"How teams work in an individual sport is, for every competitor who places first, second or third, the country they represent earns points," Braithwaite explained. "Australia won the team award. There were 18 countries there and over 300 competitors."
Usually she competes in the 67.5 kg weight class, but said she happened to be slightly over at 68.5 kg, which bumped her up into the 75 kg weight class.
"This is typically to your disadvantage as you want to be on the higher end of your weight class not the lower end," she told the Tribune. She also explained that raw full power means the competitor does not wear a knee wrap whereas the classic raw category allows knee wraps and sleeves. The win for best female lifter for raw full power means she lifted more weight than any other female in that division regardless of weight.
"My total was over 1,000 pounds."
This was her fifth-ever powerlifting meet and her third time doing full power.
Braithwaite has been weight lifting and body building for more than 10 years and said bench press has always been her strongest lift. When she saw a powerlifting competition in Prince George had a bench-only division, she decided to try it out. She ended up getting first place in that competition in 2023 and then spent the next year training for a full power competition.
"It's a very addictive sport," she said. "People are so friendly and encouraging and it inspires you to reach and exceed personal limitations."
She said to prepare physically it is important to prioritize water consumption, sleep and nutrition, and make sure not to over-train, which she admitted she does sometimes because she loves high volume training.
Emotionally, she added, the key is not to get to down on yourself when a training session is not going well.
"They are not all great," she said of training sessions. "It's more about consistency and staying dedicated."
Focusing on her goals helps mentally, Braithwaite said, adding she notices she has more of a problem with her mental health when she is not lifting.
Born in Vulcan, Alta., she spent most of her life in the Claresholm and Lethbridge areas before moving to Chilliwack four years ago when she got a job as a correctional officer.
Three-and-a-half years ago she moved to Williams with her husband and son when she was hired as a probation officer.
While weight lifting occupies the bulk of her free time, she also enjoys peak hiking in the summer. "My husband and I go as often as we can - mainly in the Whistler and Pemberton area."
Recently she has started doing personal training in her home gym.
She works with clients on various fitness goals whether they are weight loss, body building or powerlifting, she said.
