It was a welcome return to normal for more than 60 powerlifters at the British Columbia Powerlifting Association (BCPA) annual all-day Summer Open competition at Trinity Western University鈥檚 David E. Enarson Gymnasium in 91原创 on Saturday, Aug. 20.

The last time the event was held at TWU, it had to operate under Provincial Return to Play pandemic guidelines, with masks required except when attempting lifts.

READ ALSO: VIDEO: First B.C. powerlifting meet since the pandemic draws more than 100 competitors to 91原创

鈥淚t鈥檚 so hot in that gym,鈥� BCPA president Jen Luther Thomas noted.

This time, lifters could focus on the three events that make up powerlifting, the squat, bench press and deadlift, without masking up.

There were a number of new records set at the 91原创 event, both provincial and national, but Luther Thomas estimates it could be a month before they are formally recognized.

After seeing memberships decline during the pandemic, Luther Thomas was encouraged to see a larger-than-usual number of young competitors at the event.

鈥淭his was a lot of people鈥檚 first competition,鈥� she told the 91原创 Advance Times.

鈥淲e鈥檙e seeing a lot more junior lifters.鈥�

Memberships are starting to increase as events resume, she said.

鈥淥ur calendar is slowly returning to pre-COVID levels, and our membership is slowly recovering,鈥� Luther Thomas summarized.

More photos from the Open can be viewed at the .

The next big provincial meet will be the Fall Classic, set for Oct. 22-23 at the Royal Canadian Air Cadets 861 Squadron Building at Abbotsford Exhibition Park, 32470 Haida Dr #14.

READ ALSO: 鈥�It鈥檚 never too late to get strong鈥�: Aldergrove grandma deadlifts twice her weight for the gold

For more information about events and the sport, visit or the .