Powerlifting champion glory for Sheffield woman

Kelly Clark came fourth in her class in the 2019 World Masters Powerlifting Championship.

In the run up to the world championship Kelly, who has arthritis, had reduced her dress size from 18 to 8 and lost 3.5 stones in weight.

Kelly who is a learning and development manager at Sheffield wire joiner manufacturer Gripple, commented: “The fear that lifting heavy weights makes you bulky is unfounded.

“Lifting weights changed my life! Without the health, fitness and mobility benefits of lifting I would still need prescribed or over-the-counter medication. And I certainly could not have competed in strongwoman and powerlifting events or considered mud runs, obstacle course races and jumping out of planes for charity!

“I have met, trained and competed with an incredible bunch of people many of whom will remain friends for life.

“Now, I am a thrilled with my success in South Africa.”

In the world championship, as a member of the Great Britain team Kelly, lifted from squat, bench and deadlift in the class for women between 63kg and 72kg and from 49 to 59, achieving personal bests in two disciplines, contributing points to the team’s total in the class which came third overall.

Kelly started looking for ways to get in shape when she turned 50.

At 50 Kelly was starting to feel her age and carrying too much weight. Traditional weight loss methods did not inspire her and she worked out that fitness, not weight loss, was key to reducing her aches and pains.

High intensity interval training helped her mobility initially but it was painful and limited her progress. then powerlifting increased her mobility. She joined GB Powerlifting Federation in 2017, entered her first competition last year, in the sport’s three elements - squat, bench press and deadlifts – qualifying for the British Masters Championships, gaining two divisional Yorkshire North East titles and records along the way.