Rosemary Nichols Marks 87th Birthday With Records, Inspirational Award

By Marie Kennedy, The Mountain Times

When Mountain Times readers last met Rosemary Edstrom Nichols in September 2025, the then-86-year-old powerlifter had returned from Pittsburgh with three world records.

Nearly a year later, Nichols celebrated another birthday by returning to the place where her competitive powerlifting journey began and adding several more honors to her collection.

Nichols competed in the National Powerlifting League Western Regionals at the Hallmark Inn in Newport five days before her 87th birthday. The same venue hosted her first powerlifting meet shortly before she turned 79.

Competing in the masters women’s 80-and-older division at 67.5 kilograms, Nichols completed a 52.5kg squat, a 32.5kg bench press and a 92.5kg deadlift.

Nichols said she believes all three lifts set state and national records for her age and weight division in the National Powerlifting League.

She also received the meet’s Most Inspirational Award, and the crowd sang “Happy Birthday” to her.

Her coach, Kyle Singh of The Strength Mechanic, trained and handled five athletes at the meet, all of whom earned medals. Nichols trains remotely with Singh, who is based in Eugene, while completing her workouts at the Mount Hood Athletic Club in Sandy.

Nichols said her goal going into the meet was to maintain her strength and come close to the record-setting numbers she achieved last year.

At the 2025 US Powerlifting Association Nationals in Pittsburgh, Nichols set International Powerlifting League world records in the squat, bench press, and deadlift for women 85 and older.

Her powerlifting career began relatively late. After years of working at a desk, Nichols returned to exercise at 71 through Zumba Gold. She later earned fitness certifications, trained clients, and taught group classes, including water aerobics for seniors.

She began training for powerlifting at 77 with her first coach, Eric Snow, and entered her first competition the following year.

“He changed my life,” Nichols said.

Although Nichols no longer teaches formal classes, she continues to share what she has learned. At the gym, she frequently offers exercise ideas, encouragement, and suggestions on lifting form.

“Safety is critical,” she said.

Since the September article appeared, readers have continued to ask about Nichols. Some said her example encouraged them to begin exercising or join a gym, including people in their 80s.

“It makes me feel like I’m doing my job,” Nichols said. “Not everybody can do what I can do, but everybody should do something for themselves – movement. I’m grateful that my message has gotten to some people.”

Nichols said exercise can offer older adults more than physical strength. Going to a gym can provide accountability, companionship and opportunities to reconnect with others.

“If I can help others, I’m grateful,” she said.

For Nichols, passing along what she has learned is part of the responsibility that comes with it.

“It’s been given to me,” she said. “I’ve got to pass it on.”