Strath powerlifters register for GB masters after success at Scottish Championships
TWO strath strongwomen have shown they have what it takes to compete on the UK stage by convincingly out-lifting their opponents at a Scottish event this week.
Lynda Banks, from Grantown, and Melissa Wall, from Aviemore, (both aged 48) put on sterling displays at the Scottish Masters Powerlifting Championships in Kilmarnock on Sunday, with both winning their weight classes and coming away with additional accolades.
Lynda was named Scottish Masters Best Female Lifter and overall winner at the competition, while Melissa registered two national records with her 120kg deadlift and 235kg total from squat, bench and deadlift combined.
As a competitor in the 63kg weight class, Lynda’s Best Lifter award came after an astonishing 272.5kg total from her three lifts, the most weight lifted on the day in relation to bodyweight and just 2.5kg away from her own Scottish record.
The Strathdearn Primary School headteacher squatted 90kg, benched 52.5kg and deadlifted 130kg, the last lift being 5kg short of her own national record and well over double her bodyweight of 62.5kg.
Melissa, as well as winning the 72kg weight class at just 65.3kg, added a whopping 10kg to her Scottish Masters deadlift record with her 120kg lift on Sunday and beat the previous total record of 227.5kg by 7.5kg.
Her other lifts were a 70kg squat and 45kg bench.
Both women, who have been powerlifting for less than a year, were delighted with the results.
Melissa, a Scottish Natural Heritage employee and part-time fitness instructor, said: "I have spent many hours in the gym under the guidance of my coach, Gavin Laird, at the Forge Gym in Inverness and have also put in plenty of work of my own.
"It has been tough at times and, despite an inter-costal muscle injury which set me back for a couple of weeks, I am delighted at my performance.
"Advanced remedial massage therapist Moira Watson from Kincraig has been a huge help in keeping everything moving and I can’t thank her or Gavin enough."
Lynda, who recovered from a back injury to compete in the Masters event, also thanked Gavin and Moira, adding: "I am thrilled to have been awarded the trophy for Best Lifter.
"It just shows you what you can do if you focus and train hard."
The barnstorming performances mean both Lynda and Melissa qualified for the GB Masters in Horncastle in March.
Lynda said: "Training for that will start next week, I can’t wait!"
