The 2024 IPF World Bench Press Championships are underway in Austin, Texas and Cynthia Leighton, a seasoned powerlifter hailing from Prince Rupert, has already made her mark.

Competing in the Masters 63 kg unequipped category, Leighton clinched the gold, adding another significant achievement to her decade-long powerlifting journey.

The championship running from May 21 to June 2 draws athletes from around the globe who have proven their mettle by winning national titles.

鈥淚 competed in bench only, and the selection was from all over the world,鈥� Leighton said.

Leighton鈥檚 journey to the top, however, has not been without challenges.

Originally from Terrace, she relocated to Prince Rupert about a decade ago. Living in the northwest proved difficult, particularly due to the isolation from major powerlifting communities.

鈥淚t鈥檚 expensive for travel, most of the provincial meets are in the Lower Mainland. For many years, I was left to train alone or with one or two people,鈥� she recalled.

Despite those hurdles Leighton found a supportive community in Rupert which has kept her motivated through the solitary nature of her training.

Leighton鈥檚 love for powerlifting traces back to her teenage years in Terrace, where she worked at North Coast Health and Fitness when she was 15. It was there she met Ernie Milhomens, a world-champion powerlifter, who became a lifelong inspiration and supporter.

鈥淲hen I posted on social media about winning the gold medal, he sent me a message saying how proud he was. It was a really full-circle moment, 25 years later, to still be in touch with someone who inspired me so much,鈥� Leighton said.

Despite intense training and competition pressures, she maintains a grounded perspective.

鈥淒uring meets, I let my coaches do their jobs and remind myself that the worst-case scenario isn鈥檛 life or death. It鈥檚 normal to experience stress and nervousness, It鈥檚 a part of being an athlete,鈥� she said.

Looking ahead, Leighton has her sights on the 2025 Nationals and hopes to defend her world title at the next World Bench Press Championships in Norway.

鈥淭he Finland coach came and talked to me afterwards. He was like, 鈥榃e鈥檒l see you in Norway next year. We鈥檙e coming for you,鈥� I just thought 鈥楥hill out, man. It鈥檚 just a hobby.鈥� But yes, I aim to defend my title.鈥�

Cindy鈥檚 husband, Lance has been a pillar of support throughout her journey.

鈥淗e is my number one strength and support in this journey,鈥� she emphasized.

Talking to Black Press Media while in the gym with her 13- and 15-year-olds, Leighton advised young women aspiring to be powerlifters to 鈥楪et in the gym, don鈥檛 be shy, and find your passion.鈥�

鈥淚t can take years. I鈥檝e been lifting competitively for 10 years. Just find what you love doing, and keep doing it.鈥�

She also dismissed any concerns about stigma surrounding women in powerlifting, especially concerning pregnancies.

鈥淚 lifted while I was pregnant and have several friends who have competed while pregnant. It鈥檚 all about being safe. I鈥檝e never faced any negative reactions about being a woman in this sport at all,鈥� she said.

Leighton is also a strong advocate for the inclusion of powerlifting in the Olympics.

鈥淚f we have speed walking in Olympics, why not powerlifting? International Powerlifting Federation is drug tested by the World Anti-Doping Association, just like the Olympics. We are trying to be consistent, fair and stringent. I hope to see it in the next 10 years,鈥� she said.