Orangeville powerlifter aims for national records

December 27, 2016

Shouldering the burden

James Matthews — The Banner

Orangeville's Nelson Sleno will make a bid for the national record books when he competes in the Jan. 6-8 Canadian Powerlifting Union 2017 Central Championships in Geulph.

Ontario powerlifting record holder Nelson Sleno is setting his sights higher.

Sleno, in a bid to raise money for Southwest Parkinson’s Ontario, competed in the Titans of Mississauga Powerlifting Meet in October. He raised $6,000 of a $10,000 target and set provincial benchmarks in the squat, bench press, deadlift and total lift.

Sleno lifted in the over-60 years old under 58-kilogram category and he squat 237 pounds. He benchpressed 143 pounds, and deadlifted 248 pounds. They’re all benchmarks powerlifters will have to beat to set future records in Ontario in the over-60 under 58-kg category. The lift total came in at 628-pounds, which was the fourth record Sleno set.

Now, Sleno will endeavor to ink his name beside those records, only at the national level. He’ll compete Jan. 6-8 in the Canadian Powerlifting Union 2017 Central Championships in Guelph.

About 200 competitors are expected at the inaugural three-day event. The Central Canadian Championships is a qualifier for Ontario and Quebec athletes to earn a place at the 2017 Canadian Nationals and to represent Canada at the 2017 World Powerlifting Championships in Belarus, the World University Cup in South Africa, and the World Games in Poland.

He said the weights lifted in the 60 to 65 years old age group will have to be heavier than competitors’ lifts in the two weight classes beneath his. So, in effect, Sleno will end up with more records than his own group if he makes good on his attempts.

“So my records will carry through the other divisions,” he said. “I’ll have 12 records.”

Sleno has battled Parkinson’s disease the past 15 years. And the Orangeville man has accomplished much inthat time.

He’s written a book, titled Shaking Hands, that details the life of a man who grows from rebellious youth to successful teacher and athlete. Then, in his 40s, he developed the first signs of what were to be his greatest challenge for the rest of his life.

More importantly, the book details his decision not to sit idly and let Parkinson’s disease defeat his warrior spirit. Two years later, Sleno followed with a sequel: Beyond Shaking Hands. As he was writing, Sleno competed in his first powerlifting competition in 20 years in which he established two provincial records for 60 years old and older lifters in the under-59-kilogram class.

Sleno said he’s stiffened up a bit since the October lifts, but hopes conditioning will be fruitful leading up to the national event next month.

“I’m a little worried I won’t be able to squat deep enough,” he said.

His physical condition is exacerbated by hiccups in the weigh-in schedule. That is, Sleno is required to take medication to help him sleep because of his Parkinson’s. An early morning weigh-in is slated for the Guelph event. To accommodate that, Sleno will have to alter when he takes his sleep meds and that may have a ripple effect for the whole three days.

“I don’t know how I’ll react to lifting (after) being up at 7 a.m.,” he said.

http://www.orangeville.com/sports-story/7038689-orangeville-powerlifter-aims-for-national-records/