Christopher Acosta-Tapia

CPU Open Classic National Championship
2023 - 105kg - Gold

Best Lifts
Classic Squat - 325kg
Classic Bench Press - 185kg
Classic Deadlift - 375.5kg
Classic Total - 885.5kg

Biography
I am 28 years old, born and raised in Montreal, Canada with a Dominican ethnicity. People call me "Chris" or "TAP" (short for Tapia).

I have played baseball since the age of 5 up until college. I was offered a full scholarship to play at Western Oklahoma State College in 2014 and transferred to Oklahoma Wesleyan University in 2016. I graduated and got my degree in Sports Recreation & Leadership in 2018.

A teammate of mine, Xavier Aguilar, from the time I was playing Baseball in Oklahoma introduced me to the sport of powerlifting. He was training in powerlifting in his own time and noticed that I was strong and that I had potential. When I came back to Canada from college, I decided to give it a try. I trained and started competing in 2021.

As an athlete, my biggest accomplishments to date is winning National Player of The Year (USA) in 2017 and winning the 2023 Canadian National Championship in the 105kg weight class.

I train at Atlantis Gym in Laval most of the time. I train at Barbell Rive Nord in St-Therese when I start prepping for a competition. My coach is Mathieu Dore from Montreal Powerhouse coaching company.

I want to give a big mention to my family and my cousin David. I would not be where I am today if it was not for their sacrifices and support. Outside of training and competition, I like to hangout with my close friends and family. My job is blue collar for la Ville de Montreal.

What is your favourite lifting memory?
Deadlifting 375.5kg/828lbs to take the Canadian 105kg weight class deadlift record.

What is one piece of advice you have for up and coming athletes getting into strength training or strength sport?
My advice for up and coming athletes is to train wisely. To have long term goals but also short term goals that will be stepping stones into reaching those bigger goals. Being disciplined and holding yourself accountable because some days will be harder than others but as long as you do your job inside and outside the gym, those goals will be reached.

What is your favourite lift or event?
Squat and deadlift.

What is your favourite product and why?
13mm Belt
The quality of the product is superior.

What 3 other items are your go to and why?
Powerlifting Knee Sleeves
Singlet
10mm Belt
The quality and the different options for nice colorways.

What colourway is your favourite and why?
Phantom
The black 'SBD' logo on the black singlet makes it look very simple but very nice at the same time.

Why do you believe SBD is the gear all athletes should use?
The quality of the product is great and durable with many options of colorways with great styling.