Get ready to meet the world’s youngest gold medalist weightlifter who has wowed fans by lifting a whopping 264 pounds at just 12 years old.
Ivy-Marie Buzinhani Brustello, from Montreal, Canada, has become a weightlifting sensation after developing a love of lifting weights in her gymnastics class at the age of seven.
Now the 12-year-old – who has been told her strength is above average – has won several championships and became the youngest champion to ever take home three gold medals at the 2023 International Weightlifting Federation World Youth Championship.
With both nerves and muscles of steel, the tween — who works out two hours a day, five days a week, Ivy — who competes in the 88-pound category — now has her eyes on a new prize: the 2028 Olympics.
Ivy-Marie Buzinhani Brustello, from Montreal, Canada, has become a weightlifting sensation after developing a love for weightlifting in her gym class at just seven years old
She is the world’s youngest gold medalist weightlifter and has wowed fans by lifting a whopping 264 pounds
The 12-year-old – who has been told her strength is above average – has won several championships and became the youngest champion to win three gold medals at IWF.
Ivy’s father, Denys Brutello Luiz, age 47, from São Paulo, Brazil, enrolled her in gymnastics class at the age of four.
When she started lifting weights during class, she found her true passion.
Ivy decided to make the switch to weightlifting with the help of her coaches who pushed her because of her “above average” strength.
Denys said: ‘Ivy started gymnastics at the age of four to improve her stamina and strength, which is where she started lifting weights.
“After a year of training in both gymnastics and weightlifting, she decided to switch to weightlifting because her coaches told us that her natural strength and technique was just above the average for athletes her age.”
After making the switch, Ivy embarked on an intense training plan that involved extreme dedication and discipline.
She trained five days a week at Beyond Lifting, which is run by Ivy’s coach Abigail Guerrero and her husband Ciro Ibanez, who was once an international lifter for Cuba and a coach in France and Spain before moving to Canada.
Her training quickly paid off and Ivy went from 189 pounds to 246 pounds over dozens of competitions in both the United States and Canada.
Referring to Ivy’s decision to switch to weightlifting, her father said, “Since then she has held national records in her category in Canada, and she also ranks first in the US Weightlifting Federation.”
She has won several championships and last March 25 she was crowned World Champion in Albania, which means she is the youngest ever champion in the history of the IWF and also the youngest winner of a gold medal.
With both nerves and muscles of steel, the tween — who works out two hours a day, five days a week, Ivy — who competes in the 88-pound category — now has her eyes on the 2028 Olympics
After making the transition from gymnastics to weightlifting, Ivy embarked on an intense training plan that involved extreme dedication and discipline
Her training quickly paid off and Ivy went from 189 pounds to 246 pounds in dozens of competitions in both the United States and Canada
“She has won three gold medals so far totaling 264 pounds,” he added.
In March, Ivy competed in the IWF World Youth Championship in Durres, Albania, becoming the youngest ever World Champion in IWF history, with three gold medals.
In the snatch portion, where the lifter moves the barbell from the floor to an overhead position in just one quick movement, Ivy lifted a whopping 116 pounds.
Next up was the clean and jerk move, a two-part lift where the lifter brings the barbell to their shoulders and then pulls it overhead, Ivy lifted 147 pounds.
She got her third gold medal for her total of 264 pounds.
Her success marked a moment in history as no one under the age of 13 had ever medaled in an international tournament prior to her success.
Although she achieved huge success after the Albania competition, she is still determined to get better and better and is now preparing for the USA Youth Championships and the Junior Canadian Championships.
Her success marked a moment in history, as no one under the age of 13 had ever medaled in an international tournament before her success.
Ivy is currently working on weight gain so she can continue to rise to the top in the various weightlifting categories
Despite being criticized for letting his daughter lift such heavy weights, Ivy’s dad claims she only lifts heavier when she’s ready
Ivy is currently working on weight gain so she can continue to rise to the top in the various weightlifting categories.
Despite criticism for letting his daughter lift such heavy weights, Ivy’s father claims she only lifts heavier things when she’s ready.
“We do get some negative comments about her being so young and doing heavy lifts, but as a team — her coaches, us and Ivy herself, we’re progressing pound for pound, and Ivy just moving forward when she can handle more weight.
‘A good training program is also important. Ivy has one of the best techniques in the world, so her future is bright considering she’s still so young.
“Her ultimate goal is to compete in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics or the 2032 Brisbane, Australia Olympics,” said her father.
Danys revealed that Ivy always leaves her “speechless” because of her strength and determination.
He said: ‘I am speechless to see her at such a young age with such determination and focus inspires me. She works so hard to make her dreams come true, she inspires me.’
Ivy’s dad also shared how much his 12-year-old has sacrificed to improve her skills.
“She has learned so much in the past year, such as managing school activities and her training, which means she has had to make so many sacrifices. It’s an inspiration and I want her to succeed and be able to share her story, hoping it will inspire others.
“We’re here for whatever she needs and will always encourage her,” Danys added.
