Powerlifting club scoop national titles

Competing at the British Powerlifting Championships, held at Moulton in Northamptonshire, Michelle Franklin, Sarah Stanhope and Danny Saunders all claimed first-place prizes, with Roger Little adding a second spot.

Grandmother Michelle, 51, recorded a great 310kg total in the 57kg class while Sarah lifted in the 63kg senior section and outclassed the field with a 165kg squat, 85kg bench and a 145kg deadlift - earning a 395kg total for first place.

In the senior men, Danny won his second British title with a 600kg total.

Roger made a comeback after surgery to compete in the 66kg over 70s age class and picked up a very respectable second place.

Team member Bianca Pennington did not make weight, but lifted as a guest and put up a great total of 355kg, despite weighing just over 57kg.

She is crossing fingers that will be enough for selection for the junior European team.

These results come hot on the heels of success in the British Bench Press Championships, held at Stanhope Hall earlier in the year.

At that event, the Senior Men’s section saw wins for Jesse Johnson with a 122.5kg bench in the 59kg weight class, Paul Campbell hit a big 170kg bench in the 74kg class and Graham ‘Big Show’ Mellor pressed 303kg in the heavyweight class, the biggest ever bench press by a junior and second biggest bench press of all time in British powerlifting.

Other results saw 16-year-old Mariah Connor record a 52.5kg score while Ladies’ Masters lifters Michelle Franklin lifted 65kg in the 65kg class and Rebecca Williams pressed 92.5kg in the 84kg class.

In the Men’s Masters Glyn Belsher pressed a 140kg bench at 93kg.

The club curently has 17 internationals on the books.

For more information about getting involved, call club coach Marc Giles on 077826 638 059.