Sauve snags second in Airdrie
By Tyler Lowey, Times Reporter
Photo Courtesy of Nolan Sauve
Rarely does the Strathmore product not show well at provincial, national and international competitions, barring any injuries. Even when he falls way back in the standings after one event, he has the heart and determination to power through the rest of the event.
And that’s exactly what happened last weekend during the fourth installment of Canada’s Strongest Natural Man July 28 at CrossFit 403 in Airdrie.
In the first of five events, Sauve kept having the weights bump and rub against the backs of his heels, causing him to set the 275-pound weights in each hand down multiple times throughout the 50-foot farmer’s walk.
Because of that, Sauve finished last.
The field was fairly stacked, as the five best and cleanest power lifters from Eastern and Western Canada made their way to Strathmore. The margin for error was slim.
Sauve more than made up for it by winning the next three events.
Sauve won the 600-pound yoke squat with 200 reps. In the circus dumbbell pressing medley, where he completed the clean and press, a series of dumbbell ranging from 125 pounds up to 200 pounds. In the standing deadlift — one of his better events — Sauve grabbed first after lifting the 750-pound bar.
“I probably could have won it if it weren’t for a couple mistakes,” said Sauve. “But it was still a great event and great to win something like that.”
Sauve wrapped up the competition by finishing fourth in the loading medley, where he did an abbreviated farmer’s walk, carried a 500-pound yoke, and then had to load a 176-pound kettle bell, a 203-pound kettle bell and finally a 265-pound sandbag onto a platform four-feet high.
For his efforts, Sauve won a plaque, some protein powder and power lifting equipment to bring back to his home gym.
The prizes were a nice touch, but Sauve really enjoyed competing close to home instead of travelling great distances for a meet.
The latest impressive finish is just another trophy on what is becoming a very decorated resume and trophy room for the 27-year-old.
Already with a national title under his belt, Sauve admitted this one felt pretty good to win, too.
“This one is pretty high up there for me because it was an open weight event. That means it’s a little harder because you’re going up against guys much bigger and possibly stronger than you, as opposed to weight class ones where you are going up against guys your size,” said Sauve. “This was a pretty competitive event.”
With a lighter competition schedule this year, Sauve has some time off before his next event in Spruce Grove later in September.
All his accomplishments he hopes are building towards acceptance into this year’s world championships, which will be held later in the year. The date and location aren’t set for it yet, but it would certainly be another great opportunity to bring home some more hardware.