Fowler to compete in World Games

Rhaea Fowler will have a new experience when she returns to the world powerlifting stage this week.
The Moose Jaw powerlifter has plenty of international experience, but the 2009 World Games in Kaohsiung, Taiwan will offer something new. For Fowler it will be her first experience at an international multi-sport Games and the competition will be even steeper than what she faces at the International Powerlifting Federations' open world championships.
"It's definitely going to be an experience that's different from a normal world championships. I'm hoping to take in some of the other sports," said Fowler who left the country today for Taiwan and will compete Sunday at the Games. "We're there for the closing ceremonies as well. I've looked at a couple of videos on YouTube of the opening ceremonies and it looked pretty cool. It looked a lot like the Olympics."
Moose Jaw's Ryan Stinn and Jeff Butt will both attend the Games as coaches.
"It's good to have them there - they know how I train and they know how I lift," said Fowler.
For the powerlifting competition, 40 men and 40 women were chosen based on the results from the 2008 worlds. Fowler was one of only two Canadians chosen, though Moose Jaw's Melanie Durrant was named as an alternate.
That small, elite field will be divided into four weight classes. Because of that Fowler will face about half of her normal foes in the 67.5 kilogram class in addition to the top lifters in the 75 kilogram class.
Due to the size of the weight classes, the winners will be determined by their Wilks formula total - a number based on the weight of the competitor and the amount they lifted - rather than on the sheer amount of weight lifted.
"It will be probably close to the toughest competition that I've had because it's a combination of the best lifters from two weight classes," said Fowler.
"I would like a personal best. It's a hard competition to look at in regards to placing because of basing it on Wilks and not just weight lifted. So I've kind of avoided looking at that and instead I'm focusing on myself and we'll see what happens when I get there."
In advance of the Games, Fowler's training has been slowed by a pair of injuries. She had some back problems flare up three weeks ago and was recently slowed by a rib injury.
"It put a damper on things, but I think I'll be OK once the day comes," said Fowler. "I've had to modify my training because of a couple of back problems and having my ribs out of place. . . It's still tender but structurally it's good."
Powerlifting consists of three lifts the squat, bench press and deadlift.
Fowler has been a dominant junior lifter and has tasted a lot of success as an open lifter. She has attended seven national championships and was second at the 2008 IPF worlds. She won a world junior title in 2006.

Matthew Gourlie can be reached at 691-1261

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