Classic - or unequipped - competition is taking  place until June 17 at the Rally Pointe Center.

Men's and women's events are part of the programme as well as junior and masters - veterans - competitions, which are the only ones to have begun so far.

Home lifters emerged triumphant across three male weight divisions in the masters 3 category for those aged between 60 and 65.

Bernard Vachon won the under-74 kilograms division as his total lifts of 526,5kg proved enough to beat fellow countryman Bob Hindley, who managed 462.5.

Akinori Yasukura of Japan finished third with 455kg.

Ron Delaney led another Canadian 1-2 at under-83kg as his haul of 545kg proved enough for a dominant victory.

Canada's Brett Zoerb and United States' John LaFlamme each managed 517.5 but the home lifter took silver and the American bronze due to a lighter bodyweight.

Ron Strong then took under-120kg honours with 665kg to beat two Americans in Frank Panaro, second with 640kg, and Sergey Shadyun, third with 562.5kg.

The Americans enjoyed more success in the corresponding women's age division.

Janice Francis was among US winners with 330kg in the under-84kg event.

She beat Canada's Stephanie Needham, second with 310kg, and New Zealand's Yvonne Sinclair, third with 297.5kg.