SooToday readers will remember an April video spotlighting the Sault’s Holly Lasante and her son Noah.
Holly and Noah were preparing to go to the World Powerlifting Championships in Minsk, Belarus from June 14 to 25.
Well, they’re back, powerful and proud.
Noah won the silver medal for his squat and is now ranked fourth in the world in the 16 to 18 category.
Holly did well and is now ranked seventh in the world in the 40 to 50 years old category.
There were over 900 athletes from 51 different countries participating in the Worlds.
“It was an amazing experience to think that every person we were competing against was the best in their country,” Holly said.
“Noah said to me ‘Mom, this is incredible, I’m never going to forget this.’”
“How many people get to do something like this together, as a family,” Holly said.
“It was unreal. Noah and I were chosen to represent Team Canada (with 53 athletes) in the opening ceremonies, to carry the flag together, it was pretty amazing.”
“We went there and we saw all these people with the same passion as us, and the people we competed with were the best in their countries…it’s amazing.”
Lasante said the two met many interesting competitors and coaches, as well as seeing some of Belarus.
Holly’s daughter Taylor, also a competing powerlifter, accompanied Holly and Noah to Belarus but did not participate in the Worlds this year.
Taylor has done well on the national stage, reaching new personal bests in squats and bench press lifts.
“We’re going to keep competing, we’re just getting started,” Holly said.
The family hopes to compete in next year’s Worlds in Calgary, after Provincials in the fall and Nationals in March.
