Powerlifter from Billings gets ready to compete for Team USA at the IPF World Championships

Billings, Montana – Mikayla VonLangen, a powerlifter from Billings, has achieved the first of hopefully many goals come true by qualifying for the IPF World Classic Powerlifting Championships.

Mikayla makes her home at The Vault, a particular training space at Granite Fitness in Billings. She works there as well as five times a week where she trains.

“I’m committed to this; this is not a one-time thing. This is just the beginning,” she said.

live in a gym and lifting weights. Mikayla is quite passionate about it.

“Because I love doing this. Even when I don’t want to get up, don’t want to eat, I remember that I love what I do, and I need to do all these things to make sure I can perform as well and keep enjoying loving what I do,” VonLangen said.

When Mikayla started lifting with her dad in the garage during the height of the pandemic, that passion was born. She was smitten by it. She started competing in 2021 after becoming stronger and achieving her aims.

“Everybody cheers on everybody. Everybody is committed to cheering on everyone else because you don’t have to win to feel like you still won. You could get a PR on one of your lifts, a personal record.”

She won the national title in the 84-kilogram sub-junior division this year, which featured participants between the ages of 14 and 18.

“And then I won, and all the adrenaline was gone, did my second deadlift, missed my third but it was okay because I was happy, I won and got my invite to worlds and that was my main goal and I’m happy I did that.”

Romania’s IPF World Class Powerlifting Championships are the next destination. The rigorous training and preparation frenzy continues.

“Super cool, lot of behind the things like emails with flights, emails back and forth with the national coach, talking with my personal coach, getting the uniform, hotel stuff done, it’s a lot of behind-the-scenes stuff just to get there.”

In the deadlift, Mikayla is presently ranked third in the world. sixth worldwide in her weight class. As she moves on in her powerlifting career, she aims to bring home a medal for Team USA.

“I’m just super proud, super proud to be able to represent my country and super proud I was one of nine individuals to be a part of the sub-junior team and it’s just really proud to know that I’m here to represent my nation it’s just super cool.”

For her journey to Romania, where she will participate on September 2, Mikayala hopes to raise money. For additional information on how you can support Mikayla, get in touch with her mother, Monica VanLangen, by phone at 406-694-9161 or by email at monica.vonlangen@gmail.com. The family is selling raffle tickets to collect money.