Local powerlifters win big in Merrickville

November 4, 2025

By Bill Kilpatrick

On Oct. 25 local powerlifters Barry McEvoy and Joey Kilpatrick travelled to Merrickville, near Ottawa for the World Powerlifting Congress’ Ghouls and Gains Halloween powerlifting competition. The competition was for both tested and untested lifters. McEvoy, who is also Kilpatrick’s coach, was competing in the tested 90-kilogram masters 50-59 age category and Kilpatrick was in the untested 100-kilogram junior category for lifters 19-23 years-of-age.

For those unfamiliar with powerlifting, competitors have three chances to complete one lift in bench press, squat, and deadlift. Competitors tell the judges how much they are going to lift and then, using proper technique, execute the lifts. There are three judges viewing from multiple angles who decide if the lift was proper or not. The total weight is then added together and using a coefficient they are given a total score based on weight and amount lifted.

Both Kilpatrick and McEvoy had exceptional lifts with McEvoy breaking four national WPC records in all three lifts including the record for total weight in his age category. McEvoy’s lifts included a 192.5-kilogram lift for squat, a 140-kilogram lift for bench press and a 217.5-kilogram dead lift for a total of 550-kilograms or 1,210 pounds. According to McEvoy he was a mere 10-kilograms shy of the world record which he hopes to break at the Canadian nationals in May of 2026. McEvoy who has been competing since 2004 currently holds multiple national and world records for powerlifting in numerous powerlifting federations. He also holds multiple Canadian national records and world records that he set in 2011.

This was Kilpatrick’s first powerlifting competition, but it was not his first time lifting weights as he had competed in three previous body building competitions, the first of when he was 17-years-old. Kilpatrick’s goal for this competition was to get a total lift weight of 600-kilograms, which he ended up exceeding by 17.5 kilograms. Kilpatrick’s lifts included a 225-kilogram squat, a 122.5-kilogram bench press, and an impressive 270-kilogram deadlift, which he missed on his first two attempts. This, according to Kilpatrick, caused his friends, family members, his coach, and himself a bit of stress since if he did not make the third attempt he would have been disqualified from the competition. Kilpatrick won the junior category as well as the best lifter of the competition beating all of the other competitors in all categories. Kilpatrick admitted that he did not have winning the best lifter as a goal but added that “being able to achieve that in a competition is a treat.”

When asked why he made the switch from body building to powerlifting Kilpatrick said that he was approached by McEvoy while training at Bancroft Fitness and encouraged to give it a try. “Barry came up to me in the gym while I was doing some dead lifts and mentioned that I should try powerlifting, so I said, ‘Why not. I’ll just jump into this competition.’”

McEvoy, who has trained many powerlifters for national competitions, said that he saw Kilpatrick lifting “an impressive amount of weight” and that he was dedicated to his training. McEvoy took him under his wing and they began training on technique and form. “He was like a sponge absorbing information at a high rate,” said McEvoy. Speaking of Kilpatrick winning the overall best lifter, McEvoy said that in his 21-year career he’s “never seen anyone win the best lifter at their first meet, ever… if his training continues to go well he’s going to do exceptionally well at the nationals this year.”

McEvoy, who has deep passion for powerlifting, wanted to encourage everyone to come out and try powerlifting, pointing out that he did not get started until he was in his 40’s. “It’s a great sport,” said McEvoy “It does not discriminate against anybody. There’s a weight class for everyone.” Both Kilpatrick and McEvoy spoke about the welcoming environment and knowledgeable staff at Bancroft Fitness which makes it an ideal place for beginners or advanced lifters. “If anybody ever wants any help don’t be afraid to ask because I’m always willing to give a pointer to anybody at any time,” said McEvoy. Both McEvoy and Kilpatrick wanted to thank their friends and family for their support along with everyone at Bancroft Fitness who has helped make it such a world class training facility.

Currently McEvoy and Kilpatrick have begun training for their next competition in February where they hope to continue to break records, both personal and national.