Submitted Story | Powerlifting – a strength sport that consists of three attempts at maximal weight on three lifts: squat, bench press and deadlift.

Riley Bresky started lifting weights in the basement at home with his dads’ weights in December 2021. He then moved his training to the local gym, Fit 24/7. His first style of training was bodybuilding, but in April 2023, Quinn Munro introduced him to powerlifting and he really took to it. Many long hours of learning techniques, training and coaching sessions really helped propel him. Cornerstone Barbell, a notable gym in Winnipeg owned by Kurt and Jayms Kornelson, who Riley is associated with, and his coach, Chris Figueroa, have worked along side Riley since April 2023.

His first powerlifting competition was held in Brandon, Manitoba in April 2023. He came in second place with a total lift 483.5 kg (1,064.8 lbs) which then qualified him for Nationals.

Next was Provincials in June 2023 which was held in Selkirk, Manitoba. He came in second place in the Sub Junior 93 kg class with a total lift 507.5 kg (1,118.8 lbs).

August 2023 was the CPU Western Canadian Powerlifting Championship being held in Brandon, Manitoba. Here Riley excelled and came in first place in the Sub Junior 93 kg class with a total lift of 582.5 kg (1,284.4 lbs).

February 2024 would see Riley competing in Provincials yet again being held in Winnipeg, Manitoba. He came in first place in the Sub Junior 93 kg class with a total lift of 650.5 kg (1,434.0 lbs).

It was at this Provincial meet that Riley would break the previously held deadlift national record from 2015, with a lift of 290.5 kg (640.0 lbs) marking his name in the National record books for the Canadian powerlifting union in deadlift.


March 2024, Riley attended CPU Westerns in Moosejaw, Saskatchewan. His total weight lift was 627.5 kg (1,383.4 lbs). It was after this competition that Riley pursued and followed up with an application for a spot at the Worlds Competition as he had one of the highest totals for SBD for the Sub Junior 93 kg class.

Late April 2024, Riley received an email that he was chosen for the 2024 IPF (International Powerlifting Federation) as a Sub Junior/Junior IPF National Team for the 93 kg weight class. Competition will be held in St. Paul’s Bay; Malta being held from August 28 – September 8/2024
(Riley will be lifting on September 5th) as a member of TEAM CANADA!!

He has an active membership in the CPU (Canadian Powerlifting Union) and has recently received his full competition kit from SBD. Riley’s been training hard as per usual ever since.

Countdown is on! Malta here we come!!!
Next, to pursue the dream of The World Games!!!