Ten months after surgery for a complete Achilles rupture, North Bay’s Jennifer McConnell won four medals, including three gold, and broke a North American Powerlifting record in the Cayman Islands last week.
She was one of 68 Team Canada members at the 20th regional championship event (Aug. 8-12), setting the record in bench press.
“I am extremely pleased with my performance”, says McConnell. “It has been a very long and challenging recovery to date and though it is expected that it will take another year until I am fully healed, I couldn’t be happier with the progress I’ve made so far. I didn’t bear weight on my foot for over 3 months, and my leg atrophied quite a bit. Despite the huge setback, I worked slowly and carefully with a physiotherapist to rebuild the stability and strength of the ankle and relearn how to walk, and this win means a lot. It is evidence that I have come back stronger both mentally and physically. I am so grateful to have the opportunity to lift again, and so proud to bring back gold for our country.”
McConnell competed in the Master 1 (age 40-49 division) in the 57kg weight class.
She also won gold in squats and silver in deadlift, to capture the overall gold medal and North American Championship title for Canada.
Next up, McConnell will compete at provincials in Bowmanville next month.
