Powerlifting: Flett smashes British record – twice!

A POWERLIFTER who doubles as a motivational speaker is giving the competition scene even more to talk about – by taking a record-breaking fourth British title.

Martin Flett, of Frodsham, scored a perfect victory at the BWLA British Bench Press Championship.

Flett, 52, twice smashed the organisation’s British record on his way to the Over-50s title and realised his ambition of a 200kg bench press.

He said: “I lift with two different organisations, and now hold all four British Over-50s titles and all four records.

“Eight out of eight has always been a goal of mine and it is really satisfying to finally achieve it.

“And a 200kg bench puts me in a select group of British over-50s lifters across all the weight categories, who have achieved this feat.”

Set with his third and final lift of the competition at Solihull, West Midlands, the new landmark saw Flett beat a respected national best by 10kg and his own PB by 15kg.

The record of 190kg had stood for 18 years and there was a remarkable coincidence about Flett’s smashing feat.

Flett explained: “At the prize-giving ceremony, I was told that the previous record holder, Tony Baker, had broken the record on the same stage using the same bar!”

The new champion had opened with a “safe” 165kg, knowing it would be good enough to win the title.

“That is always the first priority in any championship event,” he said.

“For my second attempt, I opted to attack the British record of 190kg that had stood since 1999.

“I put 192.5kg on the bar and got it. Then I asked for 200kg on the bar and I managed to get it up.

“It felt ridiculously heavy at arm’s length, but my mantra was ‘trust your technique’. I listened to myself, and up it went.”

Frodsham’s Paul Kopec made his competition debut at the North West Bench Raw at Oldham.

Participating in the under 23s 75kg class, he comfortably qualified for the British Raw Bench in May with a lift of 107.5kg – despite a slight shoulder strain.

Kopec achieved this with minimal training under his belt. He is now hoping for a podium position in May, when he will have another three months of quality preparation behind him.