‘The powerlifting community was really kind,’ Starr said. ‘It was just a great feeling when I broke the record’
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Nick Starr is a star in the making.
The 14-year-old powerlifter set a Alberta bench press record for the men’s 53-kilogram sub-junior weight division (under 18) last month in Edmonton after he lifted 55 kg.
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The previous record, set by Dylan Sparks, had stood for a decade.
Starr said the powerlifting community helped mentor him going into his first competition.
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“The powerlifting community was really kind,” Starr said. “It was just a great feeling when I broke the record.”
The Okotoks native added that during his training, he was curious about what the record was for his age and weight class. After looking at the number, he knew it was achievable and started working harder towards his goal.
Starr’s training was all self-study, learning from watching competition footage and YouTube influencers to hone his craft. Despite having a weightlifting program and coach at his school, the student primarily works out from home.
Starr started training after his family bought a BowFlex when he was 12. After enjoying working out with the machine, he sold it with his parents’ permission and bought a Smith machine, weights and dumbbells. This helped improve his strength, as he started to train on a harder schedule.
“Leading up to the competition, it was probably four times a week,” Starr said. “I do other sports, too, such as badminton and jiu-jitsu, so I do those five times a week, as well.”
Badminton and Brazilian jiu-jitsu are not just hobbies for Starr, who has competed in competitions in both sports. In jiu-jitsu, he has won at least gold or silver medals at every event he has competed in. He also captured the Junior Badminton Southern Central Alberta Championship banner last May, while also winning the doubles gold on two occasions last year.
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With an impressive resume so early in an athletic career, Starr wants to do even more as he gets older.
“Once I start high school, I want to combine my weightlifting and jiu-jitsu and start wrestling,” said the Grade 9 student, who attends Edison School in Okotoks.
Balance important in Starr’s life
On top of all the athletics, he is also a first-honours student and computing challenge champion. Starr believes it is key to maintain a healthy academic-athletic balance.
“I really try to keep that balance,” explained Starr. “In the mornings, I used to work out, so that in the evenings, I can have time for school work and other sports.”
Adding to his busy schedule, Starr has also played a lead role in his school’s production of The Wizard of Oz and plays basketball for fun.
At a time when there are so many ways to get distracted, whether it be video games or social media apps, it may be easy to get complacent with a busy schedule.
But the 14-year-old reassures that he stays motivated.
“Just always want to strive to be the best that I can be,” Starr said. “And just putting in the work to be the best that I can.”
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A healthy diet is another key to training. That’s no exception for Starr, who has become a food connoisseur. He posts his food creations on his Instagram page, where he promotes healthy eating to his followers.
The rising star explains his love for cooking plays a huge role in his training, stating that he enjoys balancing nutrition and athletics.
“Making the food is just a really good way to know what you’re eating,” he explained.
The multi-sport athlete is also taking online classes in areas such as aligning diet and exercise, science of fat metabolism, Stanford introduction to food and health, fitness trainer certification, gym workouts and bodybuilding and health and nutrition life coach certification to further expand his knowledge during his training journey.
Teen thankful for family, coaches’ help
The record-setter is not the only rising star in his family, as his older sister, Katelyn, is a four-time national skip rope champion. Starr credits his sister as a key motivator in his life.
“It was great to see her success,” Starr said. “I also just want to see the same success that she had.”
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The jack-of-all-trades also credits his parents for letting him buy the Smith machine, allowing him to get into lifting. His coaches also play a huge role in his development, as Starr says if he ever needs help with his technique, they are always there for him to help.
When asked about what his dreams and aspirations are, Starr is only focused on bettering himself.
“I just want to be the best person that I can be, and just try and work as hard as I can,” said the humble teen.
Starr is currently training for future badminton and jiu-jitsu events. With all the success he has had so far in his life, expect to see the name ‘Nick Starr’ in headlines for years to come.
mkaake@postmedia.com
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