Logan Achtemichuk (left) and Conor Burbee both impressed at the AWPC World Cup.

By Tommy Osborne

Powerlifters

Teen powerlifters earn podium finishes at World Cup

Sep 24, 2025 | 5:56 PM

PRINCE GEORGE – A duo of young Prince George powerlifters impressed at the AWPC (Amateur World Powerlifting Congress) World Cup in Idaho, as 17-year-old Logan Achtemichuk and 18-year-old Conor Burbee finished first and second in their respective categories.

“It was a super cool environment. I was a little nervous at first, obviously, but that kind of faded away as the day went on. Met tons of new people, got to go down there with one of my best friends, so it was a really cool experience,” Achtemichuk said.

“It was awesome. It was life changing. There’s a different depth when you have an event that big, all the lights are shining down on you. It’s a little bit different than just training at home meets. It’s just a different scale, it gives you a bigger insight to what meets are like down in the States,” Burbee added.

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In the age 16-17 age category 75 kilogram weight class, Achtemichuk finished first place in classic raw with the following weights:

• Bench Press: 253 pounds
• Squat: 385 pounds
• Deadlift: 501 pounds

Burbee competed in the age 18-19 category 82.5 kilogram weight class, and earned a second place finish with the following weights:

• Bench Press: 221 pounds
• Squat: 364 pounds
• Deadlift: 501.5 pounds

“I tried not to look at the crowd too much. I was just trying to have fun, just focus on myself, kind of set a personal goal. I’m not trying to show off for the crowd, don’t get too involved in that, just focus on myself,” Burbee said.

“It was really sweet, being able to represent Canada isn’t something that a lot of people get to be able to do. So I’m very, very thankful,” Achtemichuk added.

Competing in a world cup is certainly a huge change compared to local events, with Burbee describing the world cup as being “just a number” amid a sea of fellow lifters. Even though he felt like just another number at such a large event, he and Achtemichuk both said community is everything for them, and credited the local powerlifting scene for their success on such a large stage.

“It’s a constant support system, and it’s nice to know that anywhere you go in the world, you always have people back home rooting for you. It’s like, yes, there’s weight on your back, but it’s weight of your friends and family,” Burbee said.

“Being able to know that you got all your friends back at home cheering you on, your parents cheering you on, everyone is just like a big community. It’s just a really cool experience,” Achtemichuk said.

“Everyone from the gym comes in and we all hit a lift together, and that’s the kind of stuff that makes you really want to work harder and lift more weight,” Achtemichuk continued.

As for what the future holds, Achtemichuk said he hopes to set a world record deadlift, and both lifters certainly hope to build off of a promising start to their young careers.

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