Winnipeg senior, 81, wins powerlifting gold with fellow retirement home residents cheering him on

The man, the myth, the legend. The star of Riverwood Square.

Those were just some of the words of encouragement – on large colourful cardboard posters – for Ron Brunner on Saturday’s atypical senior’s outing.

It was a far cry from the theatre, bingo hall or The Forks, as seniors from Riverwood Square Retirement Living packed into a Winnipeg gymnasium to cheer on one of their own.

From the bleachers of Glenlawn Collegiate, the seniors watched as 81-year-old Brunner shook off nerves to take part in his first powerlifting competition – the One Powerlifting Classic.

“You never know what will happen,” said Brunner, who was competing in the bench press, prior to the event.

“I’ve always been a competitor in any sport that I’ve done. It’s not just for the winning, it’s just for the competing.”

The moment was six months of training in the making for Brunner, who was told to exercise through chemotherapy after having prostate cancer five years ago.

It eventually led him to the One Family Fitness Centre, where he started powerlifting with trainers who helped him through Saturday’s competition.

Brunner described himself as up to the challenge and felt confident in the lead-up.

“I’m ready for action, and I’m gonna come back with the gold medal,” the octogenarian said.

Ready to show his supportive friends what he was capable of, Brunner stepped up and did it “for Riverwood” – as one of the signs urged.

And he did not disappoint, taking home the gold medal in the 70+ category and breaking 3 provincial records — making it an especially successful outing for the seniors of Riverwood Square.

“I had a bit of butterflies before it started but after I got into it, I probably can lift another 20 kilos on top,” a proud Brunner said after the win.

And with a new gold medal to his name, Brunner gave a piece of advice to seniors everywhere.

“Seniors should be doing what I’m doing,” he said. “Everybody gets old, but the older you get, the less you want to do. And I think, I’m 81 years old. I feel like 70 years old, and that’s all I have to say.”