Natasha Jin is carrying a lot on her shoulders. The 16-year-old powerlifter is balancing school with training three times a week and a part-time job. “I know that I can push myself more and more and do more every single time,” she says. It was only three years ago that she discovered the sport at CrossFit de la Cité, in Hudson. Natasha’s coach, Jeanie Harbour, says they began training slowly. “That was the key word, having fun. So I let her have fun and build some confidence with that barbell,” Harbour tells CTV. That approach is paying off, with Jin recently winning 3 bronze medals and a sports spirit award at Les Jeux du Quebec. “It was really an exciting moment for me. I know when I got off stage, I was really emotional. I don’t know why I’m getting emotional now, but I was I was really happy with my performance,” Jin says. Jin says she couldn’t have done it without her coach. “We’ve really built a really good connection,” she says. “These last three years, she really helps me with everything. She helps me push. She helps me just get my technique right. She’s always there for me, no matter what.” The pair are already preparing for the next competition, which could help Jin qualify for the Canadian championships. The Hudson teen says it has given her confidence to aim for more. “I’m hoping to maybe someday do international competitions,” she said. “I think that would be really cool. I think I’m just going to try and go as far as I can in weightlifting.” Coach Harbour is proud of how far Jin has come. “I find it amazing that already she’s setting objectives by herself, that she has enough confidence to set those objective and say, I can do it, you know, and I want to go get it,” Harbour says. Jin hopes her determination and drive inspire other young women to pick up the sport. “It gave me like a little confidence boost that I needed for sure and I’m really excited to see what’s next,” she said.
