Powerlifting

Britain’s Strongest Grandmother Breaks 4 World Records Just Months After Taking Up Powerlifting

‘Britain’s strongest grandmother’ has broken four world records just 18 months after taking up powerlifting “by accident”.

At the age of 65, Martine Barons has become a four-time champion after lifting for Great Britain at the World and European Championships.

The 5-foot 6-inch mother-of-three with four grandchildren started lifting weights for fun back in December 2023 but soon realized she had a natural gift.

She’s since been training five times a week for two hours a day—all while working full-time as an academic researcher at Warwick University.

“I was surprised to find a talent for powerlifting at the age of 63 after being poor at sports all my life.

“I get enormous pleasure from training and competing—and the health benefits of increased strength and mobility are astonishing.”

She first won the European Championships in Finland last June before successfully defending her title again this June in Poland.

Twelve weeks later, she continued her winning streak in the U.S. at the World Powerlifting championship in Idaho. She previously won the 2024 World Championships in Limerick, Ireland, so all together she’s won four major titles in her division since taking up the sport.

“It does make me happy and quite emotional to think about what I have managed to achieve. I never thought in the space of 18 months I could have achieved this.

“I have to pinch myself sometimes as I can’t believe it’s me. I’m still in shock, as it all started by chance, really.”