Langford powerlifter wins three gold medals at national Games
Published 5:45 am Tuesday, August 25, 2026
Dennis Monchamp has returned to Langford with a golden haul after winning three powerlifting events at the Special Olympics Canada Summer Games in Medicine Hat.
Monchamp, a Langford-based athlete competing for Team B.C., won gold in the bench press, deadlift and squat in the 53.01-59-kilogram weight class.
The 2026 Special Olympics Canada Summer Games ran from Aug. 11 to 15 in Medicine Hat, bringing athletes from across the country together for competition in eight sports.
According to the published results, Monchamp’s three powerlifting golds came on Aug. 13 in the 53.01-59-kilogram class.
For Monchamp, the achievement is the result of years of work in the gym. He said he first got into fitness after meeting a man named Eric while working at his previous job, who encouraged him to start going to the gym.
He eventually took up powerlifting and began training specifically for competition.
Monchamp said he spent about six months preparing for the national Games and travelled to Medicine Hat with his two coaches.
While he said he had mixed feelings during the competition, he was ultimately happy and proud of his performance. “I’m very proud of myself,” Monchamp said.
His achievement was also celebrated by his co-workers at Liquor Planet, where he works. The business described him as a local legend in a Facebook post and invited customers to meet him and congratulate him on his return.
Victoria Barbell, where Monchamp has competed and trained, lists him among its male lifters and records a 136.5-kilogram squat, 150-kilogram deadlift and 85-kilogram bench press in its gym records.
Monchamp said he hopes his success encourages others to get involved in powerlifting and focus on making healthy choices.
His advice to people interested in the sport is simple: stay healthy, eat well and make good choices.
And despite returning from Medicine Hat with three national gold medals, Monchamp is already looking ahead.
He said he is preparing for his next competition in Nanaimo.
