Powerlifter Martine Barons competing in Squat at the European Championships – SWNS

‘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.

Powerlifter Martine Barons on winners platform at European Championships – SWNS

“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.”

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The married woman from Stratford-upon-Avon, in Warkshire, England told SWNS news agency it began as a fun gym session with a work colleague last April.

“I took up powerlifting by complete accident. I went to a gym with a friend of mine who is a physical training instructor and she showed me how to deadlift.

“She was impressed that I could pick up 60kg. Then I picked up 100kg a few weeks later.

“It must be good genetics. I’m unusually strong for my age and gender.”

SWNS

Martine added 10kg to the squat world record to lift 100kg (220 lbs) and 7.5kg to the deadlift world record by lifting 155kg (342 lbs).

She also bench pressed 57.5kg (127 lbs) and added 12.5 kg to the powerlifting total world record by lifting 312.5kg (689 lbs).

Her most recent success was becoming the 2025 world champion in powerlifting, deadlift, and bench press in the Masters 5, Raw, U90kg division.

“I’m a person who needs a goal, so when my friend said you should compete, it was ‘all hands on deck’.

“To be good at a sport for the first time is kind of nice,” she added. “I’ve found I’m good at something, so why not?”

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Her next big competition is the British Single Lifts Championship at the Arnold Sports Festival at Birmingham’s NEC in March 2026.

“I’m proud to be represent my country. It’s not something I thought I’d ever do!”

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