Local powerlifting athlete to compete in Special Olympics World Games in Germany
Regina’s Aaron Higgins will compete at the 2023 Special Olympics World Games in Berlin, Germany at the end of the month in powerlifting.
“I feel great!” exclaimed Higgins, who will compete in deadlift, squat, and benchpress at his first ever international competition.
“It’s pretty huge, it’s the biggest Special O competition in the world. So it is the pinnacle and peak of the sport pathway,” explained Ben Lozinsky, director of programs for Special Olympics Saskatchewan.
Higgins is among eight athletes from Saskatchewan who will represent Team Canada, which consists of 90 athletes from across the country.
This is the first time since 2018 that the games are taking place due to the pandemic. Normally athletes have to attend nationals and based on scores from that event, can qualify for the international event.
However, this year Higgins was able to compete at local competitions and since he was the best powerlifter in Saskatchewan, he was chosen to go.
“It was a little bittersweet [telling the athletes] because we got to tell them and then we had to tell them to keep a secret for a little bit,” laughed Lozinsky. “It’s awesome and you can tell the excitement. A lot of them put in a ton of work so it’s rewarding.”
Higgins trains four times a week with Tanner Kyle out of Trench Fitness in Regina. The two have worked together since 2019.
“The biggest thing is he’s fun to work with. But when it’s time to get down to the nitty gritty, he’s serious so I don’t have to help him too much,” Kyle said.
“We’re like brothers. It’s definitely fun every day when you spend four hours a week with someone, you get pretty close,” he added.
Higgins, who is described as ‘the life of the party’ by both Kyle and Lozinsky, is excited to take his talents overseas and already has a goal in mind.
“My goal is to squat 500 pounds, 55 bench, or uh maybe about 410,” said Higgins.
“He’s pretty quiet [about the Special Olympics World Games] unless you ask him about it. He’s pretty calm, cool, collected. But I know inside he’s nervous and when the time comes, his demeanour will change. But in here, it’s like he’s not even going. He’s just focused and serious about training,” Kyle said.
When asked what he is most excited for, Higgins could not pinpoint one specific thing.
“All of it!” Higgins laughed. “All of it!”
The games are taking place from June 17-25. More information about Team Canada can be found here.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Spectacular aurora light show to be seen across Canada Friday night
A rare and severe solar storm is expected to bring spectacular displays of the northern lights, also known as aurora borealis, across much of Canada and parts of the United States on Friday night.
Town of Fort Nelson, B.C., ordered to evacuate due to wildfire
The entire town of Fort Nelson, B.C., as well as the nearby Fort Nelson First Nation, has been ordered to evacuate due to an out-of-control wildfire.
Bouchard lifts Edmonton Oilers to 4-3 overtime win over Canucks in Game 2
Evan Bouchard scored 5:38 into overtime and the Edmonton Oilers bounced back for a 4-3 win over the Vancouver Canucks in the second round of the Stanley Cup playoffs on Friday.
McGill University seeks emergency injunction to dismantle pro-Palestinian encampment
McGill University has filed a request for an injunction to have the pro-Palestinian encampment removed from its campus.
Which Canadian cities have the highest and lowest grocery prices?
Where you live plays a big factor in what you pay at the grocery store. And while it's no secret the same item may have a different price depending on the store, city or province, we wanted to see just how big the differences are, and why.
Swarm of 20,000 bees gather around woman’s car west of Toronto
A swarm of roughly 20,000 bees gathered around a woman’s car in the parking lot of Burlington Centre.
Video shows naked raccoon catching B.C. family by surprise
When Marvin Henschel spotted a strange and hairless creature wandering through a front lawn in B.C.'s Lower Mainland, he could barely believe his eyes.
Barron Trump declines to serve as an RNC delegate
Former U.S. President Donald Trump's youngest son, Barron Trump, has declined to serve as a delegate at this summer’s Republican National Convention, according to a senior Trump campaign adviser and a statement from Melania Trump's office.
Out-of-control wildfire prompts evacuation alert for Fort McMurray, Saprae Creek Estates Friday night
An evacuation alert was issued for two Wood Buffalo communities Friday night, as crews battled an out-of-control wildfire near Fort McMurray.