The Bermuda Powerlifting Association is aiming to grow the sport locally and develop athletes capable of excelling internationally.<\/p>\n
Brittany Denbrook, the BPA president, said the organisation was formed in 2024 to establish powerlifting in Bermuda alongside the island\u2019s other niche sports.<\/p>\n
\u201cBermuda has a lot of niche sports. We thought, \u2018Why not have one more!\u201d Denbrook told Bernews.<\/p>\n
The BPA hopes to increase awareness and participation in powerlifting while creating a supportive and inclusive environment for athletes.<\/p>\n
Its plans include expanding local competitions and introducing youth and beginner programmes.<\/p>\n
The association is also seeking funding to acquire competition-standard equipment, host events and support athlete development.<\/p>\n
Presently, the BPA has 32 members, seven coaches, six referees and six spotters\/loaders.<\/p>\n
In 2025, the association hosted three events that attracted a total of 42 lifters.<\/p>\n
This year\u2019s BPA Nationals at Beast Gym in Hamilton in May crowned Bermuda\u2019s national champions and national record holders and selected athletes to represent the island internationally for the first time at the North American Powerlifting Federation Championships in St John\u2019s, Newfoundland and Labrador, in August.<\/p>\n
The association also brought in an International Powerlifting Federation Category 1 referee and held coaches\u2019 training, with participants completing their practical training.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s the next goal for us \u2013 to get our referees and coaches qualified up a level,\u201d said Denbrook, who won the women\u2019s competition at the National Championships.<\/p>\n
A three-athlete Team Bermuda, accompanied by two coaches, competed at the 23rd IPF\/NAPF North American Regional Powerlifting Championships.<\/p>\n
San\u2019j Dill, Krysten Burrows and Justin Anderson represented Bermuda, with Dill winning bronze in the squat and finishing fourth in the deadlift.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was surreal \u2013 it\u2019s something we\u2019ve been working on since 2023-2024,\u201d Denbrook said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was amazing to walk in there and see Bermuda\u2019s flag.<\/p>\n
\u201cI carried our banner at the opening ceremony. I\u2019d always dreamt of that.<\/p>\n
\u201cI was great to represent Bermuda in a sport I\u2019d put so much work into.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe guys did great! They left it all out there.\u201d<\/p>\n
The association\u2019s executive includes David Henry as vice-president, Liza Kolesnik-Maypa as treasurer and Ashton Easton as secretary.<\/p>\n
![\"Powerlifting](\"https:\/\/cloudfront.bernews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Powerlifting-18-Sept-2026.jpg\")
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