Garden River resident wins Gold in weightlifting at Niagara Falls
By Leslie Knibbs
NIAGARA FALLS – Garden River First Nation (GRFN) resident Jared Musgrove won a gold medal for his class in a weightlifting contest held at the Niagara Falls Firehall on June 3.
The thirty-year-old weightlifter took his spot at the Battle at the Brink Strongman competition in the Falls beating out all competitors; it was his first gold medal win and a step forward to participating in the Provincial Championships later this summer.
“I placed third at provincials last year and I am continuously working hard to try and win provincials and title of best in Ontario this year. The top 3 at provincials qualify for Nationals which would be the chance to be the best in the country,” he said recently.
Using his strength to place first, Musgrove had to lift a 200 pound sandbag and carry it for 50 feet, then picked up and carry a 550 pound frame, known as a yoke, and carry it for 50 feet, pull a Ford F-150 truck for 75 feet, complete nine reps in a 470 pound deadlift, among several other physically exerting activities.
Musgrove qualified for the Nationals in 2022 but unfortunately was not able to attend.
“I qualified for Nationals last year and couldn’t attend due to work commitments and this year I am unsure if I will be able to make it as Kayla (his partner) and I expect our baby in September and Nationals would be a month later in Winnipeg, Manitoba. If I can make it I would love to attend and represent Garden River and all Indigenous people to compete alongside the best in Canada.”
Registration has just opened up for 2023 Provincials with 20 different weight categories spread between male and female athletes according to Musgrove. He estimates there will be 60-100 competitors serving as tough competition.
Jared would love to have his own home gym for training; he mentioned, however, that “Equipment is very expensive and I can’t quite afford having a home gym so I train almost exclusively at the YMCA. One day it will be a home gym.”
This is the third year of competing in the Federation of Strongmen Corp Canada for the Garden River resident. Jared started lifting weights in highschool at White Pines Vocational School. He attended Sault College, graduating with a diploma in police foundations in 2014 before attending Algoma University where he obtained a degree in Law and Justice. Musgrove works in GRFN doing social work in child protection.
So why did he become involved in weightlifting?
“I think weightlifting is a good way to maintain positive health and combat diseases that are common in Indigenous communities such as diabetes and heart disease,” he said in an interview. “If I can change one person’s perspective, then I’ve done my job.”
Jared currently competes in the 90 kg class but has also competed in the 105 kg category. The event in Niagara Falls was his 19th amateur competition.
“I finally got the job done in Niagara Falls.”
Over the course of his three-year career as an amateur, he has taken home silver and bronze medals.
The 2023 provincial competition takes place on July 22 in Thunder Bay where Musgrove will be there, proudly representing GRFN and all First Nations.