Brenda and Ed Fergusson have been PGOSA members since they retired to Parksville in 2005. Brenda is a regular PGOSA walker and Ed likes to skate and ski. Over and above participation in skating, skiing and walking, Ed, an Olympic weightlifter, a qualified coach and a competition official is still competing and coaching Olympic lifting on a regular basis.
But their activity at the gym is what sets them apart. At 81 years of age, Ed has won many medals and awards over the last 50 years. He currently holds the Canadian Masters record, the B.C. record and the Alberta record for his age/weight category.
Two years ago, at age 70, Brenda decided she would try her hand at the weightlifting and her husband Ed was happy to be her coach. At her first Olympic weightlifting competition she set the Canadian Masters and the B.C. Masters record for her age/weight category. At the following competitions she increased her own total and now has gold, silver and bronze medals to show for her efforts.
This past month Ed and Brenda competed in Alberta and both set the Alberta records for their age/weight category.
As well as participating, Ed has been very active in sharing his vast coaching knowledge with the community. He teaches Olympic weightlifting at the Qualicum Beach Cross Fit, the Nanaimo Cross Fit, and at Jim’s Gym and is always willing to help anyone looking to improve their technique.
Consider sharing your own PGOSA story. The PGOSA Profile is part of a series highlighting members of the Parksville Golden Oldies Sports Association, a local association for athletes aged 55 and over. To learn more about the numerous sport activities sponsored by PGOSA, or to tell your story for a PGOSA Profile, visit online at www.pgosa.org.
— Submitted by Rob Jonas