Denise Westbrook, from Bracknell, represents Great Britain in the Masters 2 (M2) 84+ kg category and is looking for sponsors to support her upcoming competitions.
These include the European Bench Championships in Lithuania in August and the World Masters Powerlifting Championships in Reno, USA in October.
Ms Westbrook said: “Powerlifting in Great Britain (under British Powerlifting/International Powerlifting Federation) is a self-funded, amateur sport, meaning as athletes we must pay for our own travel, accommodation, kit/tracksuit, and anti-doping fees for international competitions.
“Other daily costs, beyond travel and accommodation for international competitions are Gym membership fees, coaching fees, purchase of specialised equipment (belts, suits, shirts, knee wraps/sleeves) plus team kit and nutrition.”
She began her powerlifting journey in 2019 at the age of 46.
She transitioned to equipped powerlifting in late 2023 and has since represented Great Britain eight times.
Ms Westbrook said: “However funding these trips is becoming more difficult so I am looking for sponsorship to assist with the costs.”
Her recent successes include becoming British Champion in 2024 in the M2 84+ class at the British Equipped Championships.
She went on to win gold at the European Masters Championships in Hamm, Luxemburg.
In October 2024, she competed at the World Masters Championships in Sun City, South Africa, taking silver overall and in each individual discipline—squat, bench, and deadlift.
Ms Westbrook retained her British title in 2025, earning four further international call-ups.
She won gold at the European Masters Women’s Equipped Powerlifting Championships in May.
She also earned team silver at the World Benchpress Championships in Norway and individual bronze at the European Benchpress Championships.
At the World Masters Equipped Championships in Cape Town, she secured squat gold with 137.5kg, bench silver with a personal best of 92.5kg, and deadlift bronze with 115kg.
She finished second overall, matching her best competition total.
Ms Westbrook said: “For me, this sport is a passion and I feel honoured and privileged to be able to represent my country in a sport that I love.
“Although powerlifting is an individual sport where it’s just you on the platform, you need a full team of support behind you.
“I am coached by an amazing lifter, Ellie Steel, who is also a great friend and I am part of The Steel Powerlifting Team, a group of amazing ladies who not only all work hard towards their own goals, but they are also always on hand to lift up, encourage and support me and each other.”
Her best official competition lifts are 137.5kg squat, 92.5kg bench press and 127.5kg deadlift, for a total of 345kg.
Ms Westbrook is seeking sponsorship to continue competing internationally and has said she can offer social media recognition, branding on clothing, and photo opportunities for sponsors.
