Fifty-five countries competed at the 2025 International Powerlifting Federation World Championships held in San Jose, Costa Rica, on Aug. 26-Sept. 5, and once again, St. Tammany Parish was well represented.
Two local lifters claimed Equipped Sub-Junior World Championships (14-18 age group), while the U.S. team won the men’s and women’s team titles.
Covington High coach John Burford served as the U.S. team head coach for the third year, having been affiliated with the International Powerlifting Federation since 2012.
“I’m extremely proud of our lifters’ tremendous performance representing the state and our country. They were mentally focused and did an exceptional job, competing against the absolute best,” Burford said.
“Our goal is to improve and take more athletes to the Worlds. We’ve been able to do that in recent years, and our teams are getting better and in some cases more dominant. I’m really excited about the direction we’re moving in.”
Covington senior Brett Falco excelled in his first Worlds appearance, becoming an Equipped Sub-Junior World Champion at 145 pounds. He established two new personal bests along the way. Falco squatted 562 pounds, benched 396 (new PR) and deadlifted 523, establishing a new PR, for lifts totaling 1,482 pounds.
Falco talked about gaining some redemption by competing against his nemesis from last year’s LHSAA state championship. Dutchtown’s Joshua Thompson edged him by a mere five pounds at last year’s state championship.
“It was definitely redemption for me. My preparation for Worlds was all about facing him in a rematch. That’s all I thought about heading to Costa Rica. I knew I’d have to be at my best, and he brought out the best in me. I was expecting tough competition, and that’s what I faced,” Falco said.
“We were going back-and-forth, and I knew what I needed to keep my lead. The bench is my favorite, and it’s my best lift. I like loading up as much weight as I can, making a good lift.”
Falco said if given the chance, he’d like to defend his title at Worlds next year, but now he is focused on preparing for the state meet in March.
“It’s off-season, but I’m already training, preparing for state, lifting five days a week,” he said. “When I graduate, I’ve decided to stop lifting to focus on whatever my future may hold for me. I know I’ll miss lifting and competing, but that’s my decision.”
Covington grad Nick Calidonia garnered a second-place finish, while CHS grad JT Sylvera, the defending 130-pound world champion, took third place.
Northshore High senior Jackson Bice, the defending 163-pound world champion, settled for second place this year.
Bice established a new world squat record with a lift of 634 pounds, bettering the previous mark by a single pound. He bench pressed 363 (matching his PR), and closed with an impressive deadlift of 562, establishing a new PR by six pounds. Bice totaled 1,560 pounds, also establishing a new PR by 80 pounds.
“Breaking the world record in the squat is something I’ve been working for, and I knew it was in reach. Having my name on the world board is an extremely special accomplishment, beating a Russian lifter is also kind of cool,” Bice said.
“From start to finish, I had an exceptional day. I started off hot and was on a roll. I had the momentum, and I loved the numbers I put up. When you’re lifting, regardless of the event, the opponent is really just yourself.”
In the female competition, Mandeville senior Sara Reffit, a first-time competitor, became a Sub-Junior World Champion at 152 pounds. Refit posted lifts totaling 1,036 pounds — squatting 430, benching 237 and finishing with a deadlift of 370.
“Going to Costa Rica with only about six months of training, I didn’t set any expectations, not knowing what it might be like. At first, I was experiencing anxiety, but what an insanely rewarding experience it ended up being for me,” Reffit said.
“I had a 30 to 40 pound lead heading to the deadlift, so I felt pretty good since that’s a strong lift for me. Powerlifting has become a big part of my life and provides me with a coping mechanism. The gym just feels like home.”
Two other Covington High grads competed in Costa Rica after lifting at last year’s Worlds in Malta. Kaylee Robin, runner-up last year, overcame some technical issues, settling for another runner-up finish at 167, while teammate Lila Cooper, who was also second last year, garnered a fourth-place finish in the 138-pound weight class.
