Sault weightlifter travels to Fiji, earns a medal in first international competition

No stranger to success in competitive weightlifting at the national stage, Sault native Erica Schryer recently made a successful debut competing at the international level.

The 20-year-old won the bronze medal in the 64 kilogram junior girls weight class at the Commonwealth Championships held in Fiji Sept. 17-21.

“I was definitely excited because to be in Fiji for weightlifting is a super cool opportunity. Not many people have that opportunity. I was also nervous because that’s the first time I’ve ever travelled outside of North America for sport.

"It was my first international competition and when I saw that big stage, my nervousness was certainly up there but I was super excited,” Schryer told SooToday in a recent interview.

She earned the right to compete at the Commonwealth Championships because of her multiple gold medal-winning performance at the 2024 Canadian Junior Weightlifting Championship in Toronto in mid-June.

In Fiji, Schryer lifted 77 kilos in the snatch and 98 kilos in the clean and jerk for a combined weight of 175 kilos, earning her the bronze in her 64 kilo junior girls weight division.

Her clean and jerk lift of 98 kilos was a new personal best for Schryer, one kilo more than the 97 she accomplished in the clean and jerk at the Nationals.

In weightlifting, the clean and jerk requires the athlete to lift a barbell from the ground to the shoulders first, then over the head. The snatch involves lifting a barbell from the ground to over the head in one motion. 

“The clean and jerk is definitely my favourite. It’s the lift that I’m better at,” Schryer said, adding she likes the combination of technique and strength needed in the clean and jerk.

Accompanied by her mother and grandparents on her voyage to Fiji, Schryer enjoyed some sightseeing on the South Pacific island nation.

“After the competition we stayed for another week at a resort so we could take some time to explore the island, enjoy the beach and the weather. I really liked it.

"Everybody there is super nice and everything is on ‘Fiji time.’ It’s ‘go with the flow.’ It’s really nice. We visited a couple of villages and bought some souvenirs to support them because it’s a poor country. It’s definitely not like here but everybody there is so nice and outgoing,” Schryer said.

Prior to weightlifting, the Korah Collegiate graduate successfully competed in several Crossfit competitions on the national stage.

Crossfit is a physically demanding combination of weightlifting, gymnastics, running, rope climbing, and other athletic activities.

Now 20, she will no longer be classified as a junior weightlifter and will move on to the senior ranks.

Schryer is aiming to compete at next year’s Commonwealth championships, a qualifier for the 2026 Commonwealth Games.

“From there my end goal is to qualify for the Olympics in 2028 in Los Angeles,” Schryer said.

Her next competition will be the 2024 Western Canadian Weightlifting Championships to be held Nov. 16 and 17 in Richmond, B.C.

“I’m going to be competing as a senior even though I’m still eligible to compete as a junior until January. My coach said I should take the opportunity to compete as a senior and see what that level of competition is like,” Schryer said.

Senior weightlifting includes athletes from 20 to 35 years old.

“It feels a little bit scary and intimidating to be a senior because I’ll be competing against people who can lift quite a bit more than me . . . they're more experienced and older, but it’s exciting. It’s a new challenge. I’m definitely looking forward to it.”

Schryer currently lives and works in Saskatoon.

She recently moved to the Prairie community to undergo weightlifting training with coach and gym owner Jason Cain.

Schryer plans to study in either Saskatchewan Polytechnic’s Food and Nutrition Management program or its Medical Radiologic Technology program beginning in the fall of 2025.

“Eventually I do want to move back to the Sault. I really like the Great Lakes. The Sault is definitely still home,” Schryer said.

Her eventual return to her hometown may include opening her own gym.

“I have been thinking about having my own gym since I started Crossfit and weightlifting. I’d like to open a gym in the Sault and see if I can get Crossfit and weightlifting bigger and more popular.”

Schryer said that while she continues with her weightlifting training, she also wants to get back into Crossfit.

“I really like Crossfit because it helps me manage my weight and keeps me within that 64 kilo weight class that I need to fit into for weightlifting competition. That’s mainly what I use Crossfit for.”

Her training, she said, includes five days a week in the gym, a nutritious diet and eight hours of sleep per night.

“Definitely try it. You never know,” Schryer said when asked if she has any advice for young people interested in weightlifting.

Schryer was encouraged to get involved in Crossfit at the age of 13 by Tyson Mount, owner of Sault gym TMX Athletics.

“Try out as many sports as you can when you’re younger. You never know what sport you might fall in love with. If you get into weightlifting or Crossfit, it’s definitely not easy at all, but stick with it and you’ll see results pretty quickly. There are plateaus you will hit. Keep putting in the work and it’ll pay off,” Schryer said, adding her parents have been a huge source of support.

“It definitely gives me a rush," Schryer said of weightlifting.

"I love it. I love challenging myself and I’m super competitive. I like competing with myself and competing with others.”