LATHAM, N.Y. (NEWS10) — Following your passion can lead to unexpected places. About two-and-a-half years ago, Grafton native Darrick Gagnon developed a passion for powerlifting, and it’s about to take him on an international excursion.
Over the summer, Gagnon received word that he had been selected to the USA Powerlifting National Bench Press Team. The 27-year-old La Salle Institute graduate, who you’ll find training four days a week at ABC Iron Gym in Latham, is preparing to head out for the 2026 IDFPA Bench Press World Championships in Iceland next month.
This is an opportunity Gagnon admitted he was surprised by. He didn’t specifically set out to make this team, but he was invited back in July, and now gets the honor of not only competing against some of the top powerlifters in the world, but doing so while representing his country.
“It’s astonishing. It’s something that I do every day, something that I enjoy, [and] to be able to go out and represent the country in any fashion is incredible,” said Gagnon. “To win is the ideal representation. Also, to maybe finally bench 500 pounds on a platform, like in an actual competition. That’s kinda the biggest one. Even if I don’t go out there and win, being able to bench 500 pounds in a competition is probably top priority.”
Gagnon will be heading out to Iceland soon. The World Championships run from Oct. 16-18.
