\n Linda McHaffie, 58, will be competing in the British Powerlifting Masters at Heriot Watt University in Edinburgh<\/a> on Saturday.\n<\/p>\n \n Her appearance in Edinburgh follows on from an amazing performance at the Scottish Powerlifting Masters Open where she scooped a gold medal in her weight category, and won the \u2018best lifter\u2019 award.\n<\/p>\n \n \n The Port powerlifter put in a great performance at the North West Masters in Manchester to built up her points for the British contest \u2013 and if she does well this weekend, she could be in with a chance of being selected for the Commonwealth Games<\/a> in Glasgow this summer.\n<\/p>\n \n Linda is hoping to squat 135kg, bench 70kg, and deadlift 150kg \u2013 which is around the equivalent of two people, each weighing 11 stone.\n<\/p>\n \n She said she\u2019s very excited about lifting in the national competition.\n<\/p>\n \n Linda added: \u201cEvery wee gain is a plus. It just makes you feel so good.\n<\/p>\n \n \u201cI can feel myself getting better and stronger every day.\u201d\n<\/p>\n \n Linda started powerlifting just two years ago when she started going to David McGowan for fitness training sessions.\n<\/p>\n \n David carried out a strength test and encouraged Linda to come along to his powerlifting club.\n<\/p>\n \n She added: \u201cI said \u2018absolutely not\u2019 at first.\n<\/p>\n \n \u201cI didn\u2019t think it was something for a wee woman like me from Port Glasgow<\/a>.\u201d\n<\/p>\n \n \n After the first session, Linda was hooked and her dedication to the sport led to her competing in the Commonwealth Powerlifting and Bench Press Championships in South Africa.\n<\/p>\n \n She said: \u201cIt was absolutely out of this world.\n<\/p>\n \n \u201cI was watching lifters from all these different countries. It was absolutely fabulous.\n<\/p>\n \n \u201cI spent all my down time on safari.\n<\/p>\n \n \u201cIt was a fantastic experience.\u201d\n<\/p>\nLinda McHaffie (Image: Linda McHaffie)<\/em><\/span>\n<\/p>\n
Linda McHaffie and her trainer Aidan McDowell. (Image: Linda McHaffie)<\/em><\/span>\n<\/p>\n