Gravity Games 2025 Recap (with Videos)
Getting back on the platform after a two year break
This past weekend, I had the privilege of getting back on the powerlifting platform for my first meet in over two years. I compete as a 74kg (163 lb) raw powerlifter in the CPU (Canadian Powerlifting Union), which is a tested federation.
Most of last year was full of setbacks—both physical and mental. After a bit of a “come to Jesus” moment about not pushing my body too hard, I finally had a solid 6-ish months of training. That was enough to feel ready to step back on the platform.
Because it had been over two years since my last competition, I needed to do a local meet before qualifying for Provincials or Nationals. This one worked well for my schedule and was just a three-hour drive away.
But despite all that momentum, the last month of prep was rough. I’ve been fighting off some kind of sinus infection (or who knows what) for the past 4–5 weeks. Every time I think I’m over it, I wake up with a headache or a throat full of phlegm. Yes—I’ve been to the doctor. Yes—I’m on antibiotics.
With all that going on, I kept expectations low. I wasn’t trying to hit personal bests—I just wanted to get some clean lifts in and get back into the swing of competition.
💪 A Quick Powerlifting Primer
For anyone unfamiliar with powerlifting meets, here’s the gist:
You weigh in two hours before you compete. That happens privately with an official and a calibrated scale. You can strip down as much as you want to make weight.
I compete in the 74kg (163.14 lbs) weight class, and I weighed in at 73.84 kg, so I made it just fine.
The competition consists of 9 lifts:
3 squats
3 bench presses
3 deadlifts (in that order)
Your total is the sum of your best lift in each category. That number determines total which will determine your placing.
I compete in the raw unequipped division, which allows a belt, knee sleeves, and wrist wraps—nothing more.
🏆 Meet Day Breakdown
Despite the sinus issues and calorie cut to make weight, I ended up having the best meet of my life.
Squat
I matched my all-time best squat from March 2020 of 220 kg (485 lbs).
The weight moved faster this time, even if the number didn’t go up. That’s progress in its own right.
From 2020
From 2025
Bench Press
Bench is usually the lift most affected by weight loss or short-term changes.
My previous best was 135 kg (297.6 lbs)—from March 2020.
I finally cracked 300 lbs after years of chasing it: 137.5kg / 303.1 lbs. Never been happier with my bench.
Honestly, I could’ve cried. That one meant a lot.
Deadlift
I’m built to pull—let’s just say I was blessed with solid glute genetics.
There’s a chance I’m distantly related to the Kardashians.
I hit 275 kg (606.3 lbs) on my second attempt, which sealed the total I needed to win Best Male Lifter.
I went for 280 kg (617.3 lbs) on my third but missed it—again—on grip.
That’s the fourth time I’ve missed that weight, all due to grip strength.
Still, I was just 2.5 kg under my all-time deadlift PR, so I walked away satisfied.
🔢 The Total
My final total:
632.5 kg (1,394 lbs)—a 5 kg improvement over my best from 2020.
That earned me 92.96 GL points, a scoring method that accounts for strength relative to bodyweight. It was the highest score among all male lifters at the meet, which meant I walked away with the Best Male Lifter award. I have won best lifter before, but this time it feels sweeter as the competition is tougher and I am now over 40.
Given my expectations going in, I felt nothing but gratitude.
🙏 Big Thanks
Powerlifting is a volunteer-driven sport. Meets don’t happen without an army of people who give up their weekends to spot lifters, load plates, check gear, set up and tear down equipment, and more.
So: huge thank you to everyone who volunteered. You’re the reason any of this happens.
Also—shoutout to my handler, who happens to be my partner. Handlers do way more than people realize:
Manage warm-up timing
Submit attempts
Chalk your back, baby powder your legs
Make sure you’re physically and mentally ready for every lift
Basically—they think so you don’t have to. You show up and execute. That’s it.
We’ve handled each other at meets before and somehow make it work. A lot of couples struggle with this dynamic, but we’ve found a groove. It helps that she’s a lifter too—and understands the grind.
🔮 What’s Next?
Honestly? I don’t know yet.
Tentatively, I’ll aim for Nationals in February 2026. But life throws curveballs, and I’ve learned not to get too rigid about long-term plans.
For now, I’m taking a break from competition-focused training. The next chapter is about:
Building muscle
Increasing work capacity
Becoming more durable
That means higher reps, movement variations, and some dedicated isolation work.
Do you compete in anything—or have a goal you’ve been grinding at for years? Drop a comment, I’d love to hear your story.
Thanks for reading.
— Dean
This is ridiculously impressive! Congrats!
Impressive, well done Dean.