Two RGV natives preparing to compete in Europe

AUSTIN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Two Rio Grande Valley natives are preparing to compete in prestigious competitions in Europe.

Shaine Casas took second place in the Men's 200M Individual Medley which secured him a spot to compete in Paris.

Casas was thrilled to go to Paris and very appreciative of the support he received from friends and family back home.

"Being from the Valley and South Texas, they're like very proud of that and you know it's something that comes up in conversation a lot like even if I'm like exchanging a phone number and they go like oh my god you're from Valley, it's stuff like that," said Casas. "I'm super grateful and it doesn't happen a lot so I understand the role and position I'm in right now and I'm ecstatic to be the guy to bring the spotlight and share that with everyone."

Justin Chapa, an Edinburg native has earned his spot at the 2024 International Powerlifting Federation Junior and Sub-Junior Championships in Malta.

Some may associate strength with size but one powerlifter is doing his best to disprove that.

"I went from less than a 45-pound bench to a 295 or 297-pound bench press," said Chapa. "My deadlift was 95 pounds and I am now at 525 pounds which is my all-time best."

What started out as just an elective course at Vela High School, has now changed his life.

"I did a local meet for Powerlifting America, which is one of the powerlifting federations and I qualified for a national level meet and then I pulled up to the national level meet and I won it," he said.

Following his triumph, Chapa has been selected to represent the United States at the competition overseas.