On 1 November 2022, Hannah Matson (18) competed and won Gold in the World University Powerlifting Competition held in Turkey in the under 57kg class. Powerlifting is a relatively new sport, with Hannah only recently discovering her passion for it whilst studying at the University of Nottingham. Hannah explains the tasks ahead set out before her;

'The competition consists of an aggregate score over 3 disciplines which are always completed in the same order.  There are 3 lifts in each dicipline, the aim of which is to complete each lift and then add weight in order to work up to your best weight.  The minimium weight you can add per lift is 2.5kg.

'The first discipline is a squat; where you take a bar off at shoulder height, stand, squat down and stand up again.  The second discipline is a bench; where you lie on your back (on a bench) and take the bar off a stand, down to your chest and then back up again.  The final lift is a deadlift;  where you lift the bar off the floor (without dropping it).'

Hannah's best lifts were as follows; squat 127.5kg, bench 72.5kg and deadlift 165kg. 

After leaving Churcher's College, Hannah took two gap years to dicover what she really wanted to do, and having put herself through Foundation Biology and Chemistry she is now in her third year studying Nutrition at Nottingham University.   It was whilst at university Hannah joined the powerlifting club at Nottingham which is one of the best in the UK and she is now Club President!  

Our congratulations goes to Hannah for attaining Gold, all her hard work and dedication has certainly paid off!