A Dundee sports scientist who took up competitive weightlifting just 18 months ago has won silver at the World Masters Weightlifting Championships.
Helen Weavers, who started competing after noticing the benefits of weightlifting when coaching athletes at Dundee University, came second in the 35-40 age category at the championships in Heinsheim, Germany.
The PhD student equalled her success after winning silver at the world championships last year in Lapland.
As well as winning silver, she also attained a new personal best by lifting 3kg more weight than her previous silver lift.
She lifted a combined weight of 124kg — just under 20 stone — over two competitions.
Helen would like to see more girls and women getting involved in the sport, and notes the stereotypical image of weightlifters being large and muscular is a common misconception.
“I started weightlifting competitively about 18 months ago. In my first year, I won silver at the world championships in Lapland,” she said.
“I got in to weightlifting through my job. I am a strength and conditioning coach at Dundee University. We use weight training to help athletes with their overall strength.
“This year I won the silver at the world championships which were held in Germany.
“I also managed to increase the weight I lifted by 3kg. I lifted a combined weight of 124kg, with a weight of 52 kg in the snatch lift and a weight of 72 kg in the clean jerk lift.”
“The woman who won gold weighed 45kg heavier than I do, so I was never really in the running for a gold medal position. It was an exciting race for silver though.
“Next year should be more competitive, as they are introducing a 90kg category, so I will compete in the 75-90kg weight category.
“I am competing in the Scottish championships in November, which are taking place in Pitlochry.
“Competition at the Scottish championships will be tougher, as I will be competing against younger athletes because there are no age classifications.
“It would be good to see more girls and women getting involved in weightlifting. There is sometimes a stereotype of weightlifters always being large and muscular, but this isn’t always the case.
“Weightlifting is a sport both men and women of all shapes and sizes can get involved in. I wish I had started the sport at an early age, as I would have been able to take part in more competitions.”
