82-Year-Old Grandmother Powerlifter Showcases Timeless Strength
Powerlifting, a sport centered on lifting the heaviest weights possible, is frequently regarded as a realm for youthful and muscular competitors. Nonetheless, Faith O’Reilly, an 82-year-old grandmother from Colorado, is set to disrupt this perception. In an exhilarating development, she will soon display her talents at a national event.
Originally from St. Louis, O’Reilly relocated with her family to Des Moines. She then enrolled at the University of Iowa, where she uncovered her passion for weightlifting. “During my time in law school, I became friends with some individuals who were engaged in weightlifting, and they invited me to attend a powerlifting competition with them,” she recounted to the National Senior Games. “I watched it and thought, ‘I can do that.’” And indeed, she did. O’Reilly dedicated herself to the sport, securing several state championships. However, a job transfer to St. Paul, Minnesota, led to diminishing practice time, ultimately causing her to abandon lifting.
After retiring in 2007, O’Reilly rekindled her passion for the sport. Captivated by Saguache, a quaint town in Colorado, during prior trips with her granddaughter, she chose to settle there. With more leisure time and enveloped by verdant scenery and fresh air, she resumed lifting. She even created her own gym with specialized safety bars, enabling her to train according to her own schedule and preferences. Now, she proudly stands alongside remarkable peers like 95-year-old lifter Catherine Kuehn and 81-year-old Nora Langdon.
Having enjoyed the advantages of this discipline, O’Reilly advocates for it not just for older adults, but for anyone capable of participating. “It’s beneficial for you physically, and as you get older, you can face issues with bone density and decreasing muscle tone,” she states. “So this aids in keeping you in shape. I still handle a lot of the outdoor work and responsibilities of the lodge on my own.”
O’Reilly last participated in the 2024 Summer Showdown and Team Cup in Colorado, where she was the oldest competitor present. Her recent statistics indicate that she has lifted a total of 281.1 pounds—77.1 pounds in Squat, 66.1 pounds in Bench, and 132.2 pounds in Deadlift.
“Along with the workout, it provides an opportunity to engage in an athletic experience, and the community involved is very welcoming and friendly,” O’Reilly shares her thoughts on competing. “You build numerous connections and receive support.”
The octogenarian is now set to compete at the National Senior Games, scheduled from July 24 to August 4 in Des Moines, Iowa. With powerlifting debuting this year, O’Reilly is prepared to face the competition as the oldest female participant in this category. “It’s truly enjoyable to meet and connect with others who are surpassing the fitness levels of our age group,” she exclaims. “You know, the oldest competitor in Pittsburgh was 103, so that gives me a goal.”
Sources: [Lifting and Loving Life](https://nsga.com/athlete-of-the-month-faith-oreilly/); [Powerlifting to Debut at US Senior Games Where 82-Year-Old Grandmother Tops the Age Ranking](https://www.goodnewsnetwork.org/powerlifting-to-debut-at-us-senior-games-where-82-year-old-grandmother-tops-the-age-ranking/); [Faith O’Reilly (F) at Open Powerlifting](https://www.openpowerlifting.org/u/faithoreilly)
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