Lifitng as a part of the USA team, the Montverde Academy powerlifters contributed to the USA team victory on the sixth day of competition for the Equipped category at the World Powerlifting Congress (WPC) World Championships by earning five gold medals and one silver medal on November 9-10 in Lake Buena Vista.

Montverde Academy (MVA) student-athlete Colby Helms won a gold medal in the M-TES-1-WPC-52.0-PL and also set four TES-1-WPC world records (squat, bench press, deadlift, and total). Competing in the T13-15 age class and weighing 114 lb., Helm's most impressive lift was a 231.0 lb. deadlift.

MVA student-athlete Julian Kong won a gold medal in the M-TES-2-WPC-56-PL and was able to set four OES-WPC world records (squat, bench press, deadlift, and total). Competing in the T16-17 class and weighing 123 lb., Kong's most impressive lift was a 319.7 lb. deadlift.

Female student-athlete Ava Eisele won a gold medal in the F-TES-2-WPC-67.5-PL. Competing in the T16-17 class weighing 148 lb., Eisele's most impressive lift was a 198.7 lb. deadlift.

MVA student-athlete Orchard Muntu won a gold medal in M-TES-2-WPC-75-PL. Competing in the T16-17, 165 lb. class, Muntu's most impressive lift was a 402.3 lb. deadlift.

MVA student-athlete Yodai Katsumata won a gold medal in the M-TES-2-WPC-82.5-PL. Competing in the T16-17, 198 lb. class, Katsumata's most impressive lift was a 330.6 lb. deadlift.

MVA student-athlete Joao Feire won a silver medal in M-TES-3-WPC-90-PL. Competing in the  T18-19, 198 lb. class, his most impressive lift was at 501.5 lb. but did not count due to a rule infraction. As a result, his best deadlift was recorded at 474.0 lbs.  
 
"When it comes to competition, the WPC World hosts the best of the best powerlifters in the world," said Head Coach Eric Pauli. "Lifters from Germany, France, England, Ireland, Russia, and many other nations attended the event to represent their countries to the best of their abilities."

In order to qualify to the WPC, the Montverde Academy powerlifters had to qualify in May at the American Powerlifting Federation (APF) Nationals by finishing in one of the top three places in their age group and weight class. The WPC Worlds took place over six days with over 600 powerlifters competing over the course of the week. The MVA athletes competed on the last day of the championships with six individuals also known as the "Magnificent Six".

The Magnificent Six consisted of the following athletes:

Colby Helms - see video here
Julian Kong - see video here
Ava Eisele - see video here
Orchard Muntu - see video here
Yodai Katsumata - see video here
Joao Freire - see video here

"I am proud of the way our athletes competed on one of the biggest powerlifting stages the world has to offer," said Pauli. "They work hard every day in the weight room but most importantly, they work even harder in the classroom. This is a special group."