Pa. teen powerlifter represents USA at international championship

WARRINGTON, Pennsylvania (WPVI) -- As a high school student in New Hope, Pennsylvania, Braden Mertz played baseball. But it was his time spent building muscle in the gym that tipped him off to a new sport: powerlifting.

He began training and eventually signed up for his first competition. And despite initial failure, he changed his approach and kept working on his form.

Recently, Mertz qualified to compete in the 19th Pan-American and 22nd North American Regional Men's Classic Powerlifting Championships, which took place in the Cayman Islands.

He took home several medals, including a silver medal for his weight and age group.

Mertz trains routinely at PWRBLD Gym in Warrington and hopes to compete in more international championships in the future.



Watch the video above to see Mertz's skills and uplifting message.

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