Motivated to succeed
Gallant has no intention of slowing down after setting world record at age 70
While most athletes are retired, or at least slowing down to a recreational pace at the age of 70, Tilman Gallant is going stronger than ever.
While most athletes are retired, or at least slowing down to a recreational pace at the age of 70, Tilman Gallant is going stronger than ever. “I’m looking at 70 as a beginning, not an end,” said a smiling Gallant. “I mentioned four years ago that I would like to set the world record and still be lifting when I’m 70.” The Summerside resident achieved those goals in Calgary recently. He actually set two new world records in bench press in the Master 4, 93-kilo category, at the International Powerlifting Federation’s (IPF) Classic world powerlifting championships. After successfully lifting 132.5 kilos (291.5 pounds) in his first lift, Gallant broke the previous world record by successfully lifting 138.5 kilos (304.7 pounds) in his second lift. He then increased the world record to 140 kilos (308 pounds) with his third lift. “It was a great feeling,” said Gallant in describing his reaction to the world-record performance. “If I had not made my last lift, I still would have come home with a world record. It’s not a big jump (138.5 to 140 kilos), but it’s roughly five more pounds.” Gallant also brought home four medals – gold in bench press, bronze in squat, bronze in deadlift and bronze overall. “The last six months, I have never trained so hard on the bench ever,” emphasized Gallant. “I get hungry when I’m close.” Two other Prince Edward Islanders – Heather Ayles and Arlene van Diepen – also participated at the worlds. Ayles won a silver medal in deadlift and a bronze in squat. She also passed all the requirements to become an IPF International Category II referee. Meanwhile, van Diepen won bronze medals in both bench press and deadlift.
32 years
Gallant’s powerlifting career, which has spanned 32 years, started at age 38. “I bench-pressed for four or five years in just clubs,” recalled Gallant, who joined the Canadian Powerlifting Union at age 45. At that time, there was no powerlifting on P.E.I., or in New Brunswick, so Gallant had to go to Nova Scotia for competitions. “I went in (Nova Scotia competitions) many times,” added Gallant. Technique is very important to powerlifting, and Gallant noted judges can disallow lifts if participants move a foot, if the “head or butt” comes off the bench, there’s any downward movement and if the lift is too crooked. “You make the lift and you feel it’s a good lift, but you also have to wait for the judges,” he explained. “You have to have at least two white lights out of three. Once I saw the first three lights I knew I was good. . . and it was clean.”
Future
Gallant is now looking forward to the 2018 Canadian Powerlifting Union Eastern Canadian powerlifting and bench press championships at Credit Union Place from Aug. 30 to Sept. 2. He also has his eye on the 2019 world championships in Sweden, and the 2019 Commonwealth championships in St. John’s, N.L. “Why would you get to the point where you are there, and then quit?” said Gallant in reiterating that barring an injury, he has no intention of slowing down. However, getting to these offIsland events is not cheap. Gallant pointed out he received support from the City of Summerside, Bill Martin and the Consolidated Credit Union for his trip to Calgary. He indicated he will be inquiring about sponsorship if he decides to go to Sweden or St. John’s. “I went to Calgary twice this year (for powerlifting), and you are looking at your hotel, plane, meals,” said Gallant. “No one is asking to have your whole trip paid for, but a percentage of it would be nice because it is quite a drain.” One thing is for sure, sponsors will be supporting an individual who has a passion for powerlifting. “It’s a way of life,” Gallant said. “It’s not like you are going in for a workout. I am training for something. “I treat powerlifting like a mountain climber. As a mountain climber, you take a mountain and climb it. You don’t start off with a big one, but a small one. You climb it, you sit back and enjoy it, and a week or two later you try and find one a little higher. “In powerlifting, instead of the mountain, it’s the weight. . . It’s little steps, five pounds, 10 pounds. If you train and keep beating yourself, eventually you will beat everybody.”