by Rachel Everett-Fry, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Kemptville’s first sanctioned powerlifting event was held on September 4. Hilda Siegel, powerlifting record holder and owner of Power Pole Performance, and Curd Hos of Iron Hos Gear organized the event. Sixteen lifters participated in the event. Hilda says lifters set “record after record, there were honestly too many to count.”
Melissa Cohoe set a Canadian record and was the best female amateur for the day. Sandra Jodoin‑Legue set another Canadian record and was best pro female lifter for the day. Troy Sauve won the title for being the event’s best male lifter. Hilda is also extremely proud to report that her daughter, Adia Siegel, set a Canadian record as well. Several Kemptville locals, including Jessica Goodman, as well as Chad Brisebois and Catherine Swail of Reborn Catherine Fit, completed their first sanctioned lift at the event.
Held concurrently to Kemptville’s Downtown Promenade, Hilda says the event had a “really good public reception.” Mayor Nancy Peckford and MPP Steve Clark attended the event as spectators along with many members of the public. Hilda says “I think people were impressed by the fact that people were here lifting super heavy weights. It went over really well.”
Hilda wants to extend thanks to the community for supporting Kemptville’s first sanctioned meet and hopes to make this an annual event. She says “I just want to mention our wonderful volunteers and sponsors because they were such an important part of the event. Our sponsors included Reborn Catherine Fit, Panda Strong Podcast, Iron Hos Gear, Power Pole Fitness, Anytime Fitness Kemptville and The Root Cellar Hair Studio. I also want to thank the Municipality for giving us the space to host the event.”