Powerlifting Grandma wants to inspire others

Louise Clark from Berkshire won the 2024 World Championships for powerlifting

A grandmother who used to "shy out of P.E lessons" is now a record-breaking champion in powerlifting.

Louise Clark, 58, from Chineham, Hampshire said she started training in her 40's because she was "a little fluffy round the edges and very unfit".

Up until 2021 she competed in strong women contests across the country, now she's won the championships in powerlifting.

Ms Clark said powerlifting is her "passion and makes her feel empowered" and she hopes to inspire other women to be more self-confident.

Louise Clark at one of her first Strong Women Contests in 2016

Ms Clark said she joined a local gym as her son was grown up and she had some time to "devote to herself".

She said: "I got myself a personal trainer, I'm a bit of a technique geek and wanted to know I was doing it right.

"My trainer was into strength and conditioning training and he suggested I have a go at a strong woman contest."

She said she did her first contest when she was 49 and continued doing those competitions for about seven years.

She added: "Then in 2022, I wanted to try something new, to challenge myself again, the same trainer suggested powerlifting."

Ms Clark at the Amateur World Powerlifting Congress in Finland this June 2024

Ms Clark said there are so many benefits to powerlifting, both physically and mentally.

She said: "The sport is growing. When I did the World Championships in 2022 there were about 70 people on the British team and this year there were 150.

"It's amazing to see it grow and especially in older lifters."

Ms Clark said: "It definitely makes me feel empowered and has given me so much self-confidence at an age where you can start to become invisible."

Ms Clark won gold in Ireland for the World Championships

Ms Clark won gold at the World Championships in Ireland this August and hopes to compete next year at the Championships in Louisiana, USA as she said "it will be great experience".