A 62-year-old weightlifter from Petrolia plans to keep competing after earning gold at a recent international championship in South Africa.
Janine Frayne (Wheeler) recently returned home from Sun City, South Africa where she competed at the International Powerlifting Federation's World Classic and Equipped Bench Press Championships. The event was held from May 20 to May 27.
She won first place in the Masters 3 Women's Equipped Bench Press competition (76 kilograms) and bronze in the Masters 3 Classic Bench Press.
Frayne said they played the Canadian national anthem when the gold medal was place around her neck, which was incredibly meaningful.
"A world record in this federation... it's a huge deal! It was absolutely amazing to have the anthem played for me," she said.
As someone who will be turning 63 this year, Frayne said she's proud of herself and believes her grandchildren are happy about her success as well.
Frayne qualified for the world championship earlier this year after winning at the national competition in Vancouver.
Frayne said she intends to participate in another weightlifting championship in Texas, U.S. later this year. She said her goal is to set a record in the Masters 3 69 kg weight class.
The local competitor said it's difficult to fully explain why she trains and competes at this level, but it's a way of keeping herself healthy.
"The people who I meet... the experience is absolutely amazing," she said. "When I was a runner, I always wanted to run more... I can't run now because of my arthritis, but I can still bench press. So if I didn't do something like that... I wouldn't feel like I was alive."
Frayne typically trains for two hours, four times per week. She also trains with a group of weightlifters in Belle River a couple times per month, while also working full-time.
Frayne said her husband also offers an important level of support. Although he can't travel with her due to his health, she said he cheers for her from home.