A local powerlifter is getting ready to hit the international stage at a weightlifting world championship next month.
Briana Boardman is a personal trainer at Riverwalk Athletic Club, who will be representing the United States at the Bench Press World Championships this October in Iceland.
“Having the publicity is great and I am really honored to have the community support. But, when you get to do something that you love to do, it’s just a huge honor,” Boardman said.
Boardman has been bodybuilding since 2009.
She made her first venture into powerlifting in 2021 after wanting to try something new.
“I did bodybuilding from 2009 until up to COVID. And then coming out of it, I just felt like I needed something different. I needed a change,” she said.
Boardman quickly fell in love with the sport. She went on to compete internationally, and set the bench press record in her age and weight class in both New York State and Northeastern U.S.
“I love the challenge, the dedication that it takes and just pushing myself to see what I’m capable of and how far I can go,” she said.
At the world championship next month, Boardman will be competing against more than 65 other athletes.
But she has another goal in mind…the national record.
“Our goal for the meet is to hit 204 pounds,” she said. “I’m supposed to try and bench press 205 today, so if this flies up like I hope it’s going to, then hopefully hitting that national record is going to be a piece of cake the day of the meet.”
Despite giving her all into training, Boardman knows that nothing is set in stone. She says she is ready to accept whatever result comes her way.
“In the powerlifting world, we say ‘Leave it on the platform,'” she said. “Be happy in just knowing that you were there and you stuck out your goal and you got through it.”
Boardman is asking for the community’s help in funding her journey to the championships. You can visit her GoFundMe page here.
