A POWERLIFTING gran from Stratford has set a new British record.
Martine Barons, 64 from Evesham Road, added an impressive 27.5kg (4 stone 4 ½ lb) to the British deadlift record to bring it to 155kg at the Barbell Training Complex in Warwick last weekend (22nd February), competing in the 60-65 age, and under-82.5kg bodyweight class.
Her record performance means she now qualifies to enter the British Single Lifts championships at The Arnold Classic UK at the NEC in March.
She also plans to compete in the British Full Power Championships in Manchester in July and the European Championships in Limerick in June.
Martine, who is director of the applied statistics & risk unit at Warwick University, took up powerlifting two years ago at the age of 63.
She discovered a talent for deadlifting after she and a work colleague went to a fun free weights session at PureGym at the Maybird.
Her natural skill quickly became apparent, and she was persuaded to enter her first competition, where she won a medal.
Martine went on to became world champion in her age and weight division in August 2024.
She successfully defended her title in August 2025 in Illinois, USA and is now working towards defending her title in 2026 in Manchester.
A member of Stratford Baptist church and Stratford Musical Theatre Company, Martine is married to Chris, who’s a stonemason for the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust.
The couple have three adult sons and four grandchildren.
Martine, who’s now travelled to many countries around the world thanks to her powerlifting, said: “I really enjoy training and competing.
“As well as the excitement of breaking records, I benefit from much improved mobility and strength, which is of such importance for a long, active and healthy life.”
