'I just love to be strong,' says P.E.I. powerlifting phenom with Down syndrome

Cameron Gordon, 18, of Stratford, P.E.I., knows what it's like to meet a challenge head on Gordon has Down syndrome and also lives with a rare and painful skin condition, Hidradenitis suppourativa.

But that hasn't stopped him from taking up powerlifting he started three years agoas a way to build up his strength and confidence.

This weekend Gordon iscompetingat the Eastern CanadianPowerliftingChampionship inSummerside, P.E.I.

I can't wait for this weekend. I got this! Cameron Gordon

"I'm so happy and so proud. I just love to be strong. It feels amazing and I love it," Gordon said.

'I hit hard at life'

Gordon practiced at theThe PEIPowerliftinggym in Charlottetown, lifting some serious weight on the bench press as his coach spottedhim from overhead. Thepounding beat of thetheme song fromRocky playedin the background, inspiring the young athlete to dig deep.

"I love Rocky because he sayshit hard at life and I hit hard at life," Gordon said.

Having Down syndrome has never stopped Gordon from following his dreams and tryingnew things, and he said powerlifting has helped him tap into hisinner strength.

"Everybody is different, if you have Down syndrome or not. You do it, you have a heart to do it.I can't wait for this weekend. I got this!" he said.

'He's come a long way'

His coachJohn MacDonald is the president of the PEI Powerlifting Association and a national champion himself.

MacDonald is impressed with Gordon's dedication to the sport.

"He's come a long way. He had a hard time getting through the whole workout sometimes. It's a hard sport on the body, but he does great now," MacDonald said."He gets through a workout, we have a lot of fun and then he comes back for more the next day."

The Grade 12 Colonel Gray High School powerlifter qualified for the championship when he competed at a regional school meet in Montague last fall.

Cameron's purpose is to show people that you can accomplish things when you put your mind to it. Catherine MacInnis

"This is a big opportunity for him, competition-wise, and possibly another avenue to get onto a national championship," MacDonaldsaid.

"It would be really great to see him get to this level because he's a really good lifter. I also would like to see him go to a World's for Special Olympics because you look at the results and he's right up there with them. He's lifting some good weights and he's doing them well and legit."

Gordon weighs in at almost 70 kilograms (154 pounds) and can dead lift 142 kilograms (315 pounds), bench press 93 kilograms (205 pounds) and squat 136 kilograms (300 pounds).

Although there is a Special Olympics category at this competition, Gordon qualified to compete with all the other athletes his agein the sub junior class for 14to 18-year-olds.

'Brings tears to my eyes'

Gordon's mother CatherineMacInnis has seen tremendous growth in her son's confidence since he began powerlifting, she said.

"It brings tears to my eyes really. Because everyone just wants their child to grow up and to have a sense of confidence in themselves, no matter what path they take," MacInnis said. "When I see Cameron has that, I'm just over the moon."

MacInnisandCameron's fatherKent Gordon areproud of the hard work theirson has put into his sport and are bothexcited to watch him compete against some of the best young athletes in the country.

"I think everyone has a purpose. And so Cameron's purpose is to show people that you can accomplish things when you put your mind to it," MacInnis said. "Powerlifting is very hard and he just shows that if you put your mind to it you can achieve whatever you want," she said.

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