A Stratford gran has clinched three 2026 European powerlifting titles – giving her four European and world records.
Martine Barons, 65, competes in the Master 6 (age 65-69) division and took three European and world records during the full power competition which is squat, bench press and deadlift taken together.
She raised the European and world squat records, from 90kg and 105kg, to 106kg with a 6kg personal-best performance.
And she boosted the European and world deadlift records, from 137.5kg and 120kg, to 155kg.
A 57.5kg bench press netted her a 318.5kg total, beating the previous European and world total records of 307.5kg and 270kg.
Competing for the second time in a week in the bench press-only and deadlift-only competitions, the managed to raise her own bench press European and world record from 55kg to 57.5kg.
Martine, who lives in Evesham Road, is director of the applied statistics and risk unit at Warwick University.
She took up powerlifting at the age of 63 after discovering a talent for deadlifting when she and a work colleague took part in a fun free weights session
She said: “Two years into my powerlifting, I am past the ‘newbie gains’ stage and have to fight for every kilogramme improvement.
“Four world records, including a 6kg personal best is very exciting.
She praised the “extraordinary skill” of her coach, Pete Grove, owner of Barbell Training Complex in Warwick.
The European Championships were held in Limerick, earlier this month.
Martine’s bid to represent Great Britain at the world championships continues at the British Powerlifting Championships in Manchester from the 8th-14th July.
She needs to finish in the top three of her division to be selected for the British team.
