Weightlifting | A new chapter for Maude Charron

On July 27, 2021, Maude Charron won Olympic gold at 64 kg. A year later, she is preparing to compete in the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, England. She was also named flag bearer for the opening ceremony, along with wheelchair racer Josh Cassidy.

Katherine Harvey Pinard
The Press

At the end of the line, the weightlifter tells us that he jumped for joy when he heard the news.

“It’s the greatest honor an athlete can have,” she says. It is already an honor to represent our country in a sport in which we invest body and soul. To be selected to represent the team, the values, the country… It’s a nice big pat on the back. »

A lot has happened in Maude Charron’s life over the past 12 months. First, she can no longer shop without being interrupted. If weightlifting and its athletes were rather unknown before the Tokyo Games, the Rimouskoise, with her victory, helped to democratize the sport.

“People are super nice, so I just have to get used to this new notoriety,” she says. I was not going to the Olympics for that purpose. It’s a personal work that I have to do to learn to live with that. But I do the dishes like everyone else! »

The 29-year-old athlete also completed his police patrol training at the Nicolet National Police School in recent months. As she could not be a part-time police officer, she decided to put the job aside in order to train full-time for the Paris Games in 2024.

“I loved my training at the National Police Academy,” she says. I know that’s what I want to do. […] It’s a hectic life that I aspire to. I don’t change my mind, it’s still there. It’s just postponed. »

Decision process

Charron still did not know a few weeks ago if she would give it a shot for the Paris Games. The decision was made recently, and several reasons motivated it.

“I don’t see myself going to a gym and squatting to have fun squatting, because I’m always going to want to compare myself to when I was at my elite level,” she explains. Firstly. I say to myself: I am still capable of giving, of achieving things. »

And then, even if she does not “regret anything” about what happened in Tokyo, she has in her this desire to experience a normal Olympic Games, without COVID-19.

“I don’t want to come across as a complaining athlete with a full stomach, but it was a really weird Games,” she said. It was not my Olympic ideal in terms of experience. There is something I want to go and relive in Paris. »

A challenge

Charron has already won Olympic gold, but she refuses to limit herself to this result for the 2024 Games. Especially since, like her category [64 kg] is no longer part of the Olympic program, she will have to compete at 59 kg.

“I will compete against other girls, other countries, other forces. There it is, my challenge. It’s going to classify myself in a new category. I’m not going to put myself on the back of going to win back a gold medal. There are too many aspects that I don’t control. »

A change of category, in weightlifting, is not done in a simple snap of the fingers. In this case, it involves losing 10 lbs, which is considerable for a top athlete whose form is already impeccable. Charron is also followed by a nutritionist and a sports doctor, in addition to being accompanied by her new trainer, the American Spencer Arnold.

“Of course I will lose strength. The goal is not to lose too much or to lose too drastically because you can put your health at risk. It’s to do it in a safe way, while keeping the strength that I had already acquired by being heavier, ”she says.

Next competitions

The Quebecer left Tuesday for the Commonwealth Games, where she won gold at 63 kg in 2018. She is still aiming for victory this year. She will also benefit from the presence of her parents in the stands.

“It’s like a cover of what I missed at the Olympics. […] Bringing them to my competitions like that is my way of thanking them for supporting me in what I do. »

After the Commonwealth Games, Charron will look to the World Championships, which will take place in December.