British champion lifter enjoys record breaking summer

The powerlifter, ranked eighth in Europe, has taken the British Record to new weights and collected three national titles in three months.

Now, she is targeting glory at next month’s world championships before representing England in a Four Nations event against Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

“I’m thrilled to have had such a great run with my lifting,” she said.

Following the European Championships in May, Edwards competed won her 52kg weight class at the British Championships in Northampton in July.

In competition, powerlifters are required to perform three maximal weight lifts in three disciplines, the squat, bench press, and deadlift. Lifts may be performed equipped or un-equipped.

Despite failing a British record lift of 142.5kg in the squat, Edwards won the British title with a triple bodyweight deadlift of 155kg.

Four weeks later, Edwards dropped into the 47kg weight class to compete in her first All England Championships, and again she returned with the title.

Weighing in at 46.2kg, she secured personal bests in the squat and bench before smashing the British Record in the deadlift with 145kg.

Edwards, who trains at Gambaru Fitness, said: “The aim of this competition was to see if I could still manage a big deadlift. To do so at a lighter bodyweight means I could be in with the chance of a medal internationally.”

Back up to her usual 52kg weight class, Edwards then competed at the British Classic Championships last month.

Despite a niggling hip injury, she set a personal best in the benchpress before setting another British Record in the deadlift, increasing it to 150kg.

A 300kg total was another personal best, and she secured her third national title.

She added: “Last year I was a little disappointed with my results, as I wanted bigger numbers. Refreshing my training has re-ignited me. I can’t wait for the World Championships.”