Dal Ghag has been competing competitively for only two years, but already he is a heavyweight in the weight-lifting community.
The 18-year-old graduate of Elphinstone Secondary School in Gibsons recently finished fifth at the International Power-lifting Federation sub-junior and junior World Championships in Pilsen, Czech Republic.
"The experience was very cool. I learned a lot just by watching the other competitors," said Ghag during a break from his daily workout at Cross-Trainers in Gibsons. "It was my first time at the worlds and I was happy with how I placed, but I know I could have done better. I think I could have finished at least as high as third in the bench press."
Ghag finished fourth in dead lift, fourth in bench and sixth in squats. His combined scores in all three events gave him his overall fifth-place finish.
Ghag said his experience at the worlds was amazing and he wanted to thank his family and friends for their support, including Mel Dempster who donated some funds to help pay for the trip, and his gym partners George, Frank and Harry for helping him in his preparation.
Ghag qualified for the worlds after finishing first in the provincials earlier in the year and finishing first at nationals in March.
He currently holds several records in the 90-kg division and is hoping for national records in the bench and dead lift when he returns to competition this weekend at the Western Canadian Champ-ionships - his last competition until January.
"I'm really working hard to get the national records. I think I can do it," he said.
Ghag said he started training when he was 10 through the encouragement of his father. His training started with running and general fitness, and when he got a bit older, he graduated to lifting objects and building his strength.
He wrestled and ran track and field in high school, but found a passion for power lifting, and now his whole lifestyle resolves around training, concentrating on his diet (lots of Subway courtesy of the shop in Gibsons, which his parents own) and competing.
"I like it because it's a power sport and it's you and the weight. Nothing else matters," he said. "You have to rely on yourself. You have to rely on your fitness, your mind and all the training in order to be successful."
Ghag said he works out every day at the gym. Some days might be lighter than others, but he hates missing a day working out.
"I never like taking days off," he said. "I try to switch things up a bit and work on different muscle groups, and some days might be a bit of a lighter workout, but when you want to compete at a high level, you can't take days off."
