N.L. woman takes home world record in deadlifting

A woman from Newfoundland and Labrador has further cemented her place on the world powerlifting stage after setting a world record in deadliftingearlier this month.

Stef Kean represented Canada at the Commonwealth Championships in Sun City, South Africa,setting a world record in the open deadlift category. Weighing 113.5 pounds herself, she deadliftedalmost quadrupleher own bodyweight at 430 pounds.

It's an achievement she says was 11 years in the making.

"In our powerlifting world, very far and few between would be able to execute a world record," Kean said.

"In Newfoundland [and Labrador], I think for the open female division, there's been three of us total to have done it: Joy Burt, Maria Htee, and me."

'Mom-sessions'

Kean has been powerlifting since 2013. This is her second time hitting a world record:In 2022, she set a world record for a squat lift.

"I believe I'm the only one in Canada who's done it over two different lifts," Kean said.

She also came home with a gold in squat, bench,andoverall, and was named bestoverall open lifter.

Achieving her goals, Kean said, comes down to good training and coaching.

"My coach is actually my husband, and he's been my coach since I started 11 years ago," Kean said. "You wouldn't be able to pick that up weighing what I weigh with bad form."

Kean said it was only this past year that the world record became a realistic achievement. She used to train six days a week for three-hour sessions, and she tried the deadlift in the same competition in 2019.

"I tried, and it didn't leave the floor at all," she said.

Five years and two children later, Kean said she trains less and for shorter periods but the sessions have become more efficient.

"We call them mom sessions," she said. "We get in quick, get it done, and the kids are the top priority in getting to their activities and their things."

'Incredible feeling'

Kean said hitting a world record and celebrating the win with her husband was surreal.

"To turn around, run off the platform, have my coach and also my husband there to celebrate that moment with me. It's been talked about for years and to actually go and achieve it, it's an incredible feeling," she said.

Kean hopes to compete in the masters category in weightlifting once she turns 40.

"Since having kids, I originally thought I would be less competitive, and my powerlifting career would sort of be over. But the opposite has happened," she said.

"I've become a better lifter."

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