Only four months removed from his second heart attack, Wayne Cormier is still chasing his white whale.
The 63-year-old from Swift Current, Sask., is boarding a plane for Poland this week to seek the one accomplishment that has eluded him during a 51-year powerlifting career: a world championship gold medal.
“I’ve spent a lot of time with my inner circle,” Cormier said.
“They asked that same question, ‘Why?’ And I just feel that if I don’t, I just won’t feel that my powerlifting career has been complete.”
After 15 national championships, 20 provincial championships and a growing number of record-setting lifts, Cormier hasn’t been able to let go of his international ambition.
“I just feel I’m cheating myself by walking away,” he said.
Cormier made it to four previous world championship events. His best finish has been a bronze medal.
A younger Cormier battles the squat rack. (Submitted by Wayne Cormier)
It was one of the goals that brought him back to competition in 2012 after a nine-year retirement.
“I’ve knocked on the door, and… I have one more chance at this, at least,” Cormier said.
He qualified for the 2026 worlds in April by winning multiple gold medals and setting six Canadian records at the Global Powerlifting Committee Canadian Championships in Edmonton.
Cormier with his medals from the 2026 Canadian championships. (Submitted by Wayne Cormier)
The event had all his competitions loaded into one day. Cormier said he was lifting for nine hours and didn’t feel right that night.
A week later, his wife rushed him to the cardiac unit in Regina after he suffered a heart attack.
Even while sitting in his bed that day, Cormier didn’t believe his dream was dead.
“I’m really good at denial. Like, really good,” he said. “And I’m very persistent.”
Cormier said tests showed an infection caused his heart attack and there was no damage done to the organ, and he got the go-ahead to resume training.
“The amount of pressure that I’ve put [on myself] is huge. It’s like do or die. I’ve put it all on the line,” he said.
“It has some people concerned, right? And I get that. I’ve taken all the steps that I can do to minimize the possibilities of something bad happening.”
Humble beginnings and early doubts
Born and raised in Lennoxville, Que., Cormier started lifting in 1976, when his single mother bought him a Joe and Ben Weider weight set for $60.
He finished last in his first competition and thought about quitting before a conversation with her.
“She spent money that we probably didn’t have,” Cormier said. “She put my needs ahead of others. She didn’t guilt me; she just said, ‘Oh, well, you know, you got to start somewhere.’ And it was enough.”
Cormier with fellow powerlifter Brian Montague at a Moose Jaw & District Sports Hall of Fame banquet. Cormier was inducted into the hall. (Submitted by Wayne Cormier.)
Junior hockey took him to Moose Jaw, Sask. When that didn’t work out, Cormier stayed and built enough of a powerlifting legacy to earn a place in the Moose Jaw & District Sports Hall of Fame.
He won one of his national titles with his mother in the front row.
“That medal sat on my mom’s mantle at her house until she was in the process of going into long-term care,” he said.
Cormier has used his experience and training as a counsellor to mentor other lifters. Mason Pederson recently helped Cormier train after they connected during his young career.
“From little tips and tricks, to the inspiration that he’s kind of shown me throughout my whole career — he’s just very… emotionally supportive to me in all realms of my life,” Pederson said.
He has seen his mentor’s daily three-hour workouts and said he never doubted Cormier would get to Poland.
“He’s kind of got the mindset of an old working horse,” Pederson said. “He just never gives up, I think because he’s always chasing another goal.”
Former world champion Lee Powell has also been advising Cormier. The Regina, Sask., product said winning on the international stage requires dealing with a lot of distractions.
Cormier’s training team of Lee Powell, left, Cassandra Crozier and Mason Pederson, right, after his final session before heading to Poland. (Shawn Mullin/CBC)
“Being able to do it in the gym and being able to do it in Poland are two different things,” Powell said.
“He’s been there before,” he said of Cormier. “I think he knows what to expect and how to handle it.”
Cormier admits there might be a time he can’t keep chasing that white whale. He said doctors have advised him to slim down from his 270-pound frame after these world championships.
With that in mind, he has simplified his motivation this time.
“For once in my 51-year career, I’m doing it for me,” Cormier said. “For better, for worse… I’m doing it for me.”
Cormier leaves for Poland on Friday. The competition begins on Oct. 22.
