WATCH: 11-year-old Alberta powerlifter sets world record

By Kent Morrison Global News

Posted March 31, 2016 4:01 pm EST

1 min read

This article is more than 8 years old and some information may not be up to date.

WATCH ABOVE: Drayton Valley is home to a world champion powerlifter, after Liam Vaness set the new deadlift record at a recent competition. While that might not sound all that unusual, Vaness is only 11 years old. And he's not in it for the records, he's in it to lift his self esteem. Kent Morrison reports – Mar 31, 2016

EDMONTON – Liam Vaness of Dratyon Valley, Alta. is now a world class powerlifter.

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The 11-year-old set the mark on March 12 at a competition in Spruce Grove, with a deadlift of 117.48 kilograms/259 pounds. Vaness also set a Canadian record for bench press – 54.88 kg/121 lbs. Vaness competes in the 11 & under age category.

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Watch below: Liam Vaness sets the world record in deadlift

The real reason he got into lifting was to make friends. Two years ago, Vaness started training at Crossfit DV because kids at school made fun of his weight.

He only recently began training in powerlifting and works with coaches twice a week. He says weight training has brought on self confidence and he now has a lot friends at school.

Watch below: Liam Vaness’s bench press