Sixteen-year-old Havvy Ehrich, a junior next year at Canby High School, said in a phone interview earlier this year that her dream is to win a gold medal representing her country in her chosen sport: powerlifting. Today, she did just that.
ytCropper | Women SJr, 72-84+ kg – World Classic Powerlifting Championships 2019
ytCropper cropped video inside!
Havvy medaled in two events — gold for the bench press, silver for the deadlift — and earned a bronze for her overall performance at the International Powerlifting Federation World Classic Championships.
Her winning press was 102.5 kilograms — just shy of 226 pounds. The silver went to Peyraud Clara, a young lady from France, who bench pressed an even 90 kg. Her silver medal-winning result in the deadlift was 369.27 pounds.
If that’s not impressive enough, consider that the Canby Cougar just started lifting a few years ago, as a way to emulate and spend time with her dad, Doug, who’s also a gym rat.
“I’ve always wanted to join him (at workouts), but I was always too young,” she says. “When I turned 14, the only birthday present I wanted was a gym membership, to go with my dad.”
Obviously, she was good at it. She started breaking records in her first competition.
Both parents, Doug and Christine Ehrich, joined Havvy in Sweden. Not surprisingly, they’re pretty proud of her.
“We are so very proud of Havvy and all her hard work,” they said via Facebook message. “She’s a focused and determined kid and she’s sacrificed a lot to make it here today. She’s bringing home one each of gold, silver and bronze but even so, one of Havvy’s most beautiful qualities is the ability to walk humbly through this event. Havvy, and her family, are grateful for all the support of family, friends and community.”
