Aviation Tech wins weightlifting challenge

12 Wing Public Affairs ~

“I had big confidence in my training,” said MCpl Gabriel Auclair, after competing in the 2019 World Masters Olympic Weightlifting Championships in Montreal. “I kept thinking of all the work I did to get there. I focused on my breathing, I trusted my abilities.”

His confidence was warranted.

In August, the Aviation Systems Technician (AVN Tech) from 12 Wing Shearwater placed first in his weight class and age group, and helped Team Canada’s men’s team earn the number one spot at the Championships.

“It was very stressful because Canada was still in second place when it was my turn,” he said, adding he was the last on the team to compete and knew if he lifted well it would mean the difference between a silver or a gold for the men’s team.

MCpl Auclair participated in the over-35 age group and over-109 kilogram weight class. He pulled through for his teammates in both of his events: the snatch and the clean and jerk. He lifted 138 kilograms for the snatch and 177 kilograms in the clean and jerk, for a total weight of 315 kilograms. As a first time member of Team Canada, he set three Canadian records, one for each individual event and one for the combined total.

He says the competition was intense and the American team intimidating.

“But none of that affected me, and my coach was quite proud of me for that.”

He is now back to his regular work at 12 Wing’s 406 Maritime Operational Training Squadron, and his workout routine. He fits his five-times-per-week training schedule around his hours at the wing where has worked since 2003 when he finished his trade training.

He’ll be logging 2.5-hour workouts at his local gym with an eye on the upcoming season. This includes competitions at the provincial and national levels, with the ultimate goal of being selected again for Team Canada and defending his title next year at World Championships Masters next year Germany.