Youth sets weightlifting records

Sixteen-year-old Olympic-style weightlifter Zachary Latimer competed at the Alberta Weightlifting Association's Youth and Junior Provincial Championships in Edmonton this month, where he set three records in his 69-kilogram weight class.

In his two lifts, Latimer recorded a 90-kilogram snatch and a 110-kg clean and jerk for a 200-kg combined total.

"You get three chances in both lifts. You start usually at probably 90, 95 per cent of what you can do and (then) go for 100 per cent of what you should be able to do," Latimer said. "And then maybe go for a personal best on your ending attempt if you're doing good."

For the second straight year, he was named the best overall youth lifter with a Sinclair rating of 271.3. The Sinclair rating is a score calculated to compare lifters across different weight classes. The higher, the better.

"The world champions are around like 450, 470, around there. And to be like a Canadian champion you have to be around a 320, 330, somewhere around there," Latimer said.

Latimer holds these records for the 62-kilogram class as well. The weight he's gained is a result of getting stronger as he gets older. He's expecting to move up to the 77-kg class in the future.

Training takes place every day but Sunday, with his father Bryan or in Edmonton, with the club, Farm Strong Athletics. Latimer's club coach is five-time Canadian weightlifting champion Brent Garrett, who's helped him, not just with technique, but also with confidence.

"Yeah, knowing I have one of the best coaches out there for weightlifting in Canada," he said.

The sport is still relatively new to him. Latimer was once a hockey player but had to leave the game after receiving two concussions. He doesn't miss it.

"Olympic weightlifting is way better than hockey. Your weekends are free, you don't have to go travelling every weekend. Even if you train every night, it's still not bad. It's an-hour-and-a-half to two hours and then you're done."