Corner Brook powerlifter heading to Special Olympic World Games for the 4th time

Corner Brook powerlifter Jackie Barrett is busy training for a world tournament that take place in Los Angeles later this month, marking his fourth time in the international competition.

The weightlifter has been breaking records since his teenage years, but his career has humble beginnings at the local YMCA.

On an average day, the 42-year-old will spend three hours training, which seems to be paying off. All that hard work helped Barrett squat 275.5 kilograms at the summer games — beating everyone, not just Special Olympians.

He's hoping to continue the trend.

"It definitely means a lot to me," he told CBC News. 

"It's really an honour to represent Canada at the Special Olympics World Summer Games." 

Breaking down barriers

Barrett's autism has never slowed him down. He has a commerce degree and works full-time as a webmaster.

Barrett is one of the first Olympians to compete at the world games for the fourth time in one sport. He's set to head to the next one in Los Angeles on July 27.

His aunt, Annie Barrett, is one of his biggest supporters and can attest to his abilities both during competition — and in life.

"When you think of a Special Olympian you don't think of these things," she said.

"But Jackie is a Special Olympian and he carries on, he drives is own car, he cooks. He does a lot of things that breaks down the barriers."