Mandy weighs in with lift of her life

For Callander’s Mandy Williams, it has been a long journey to sporting success - from hating PE lessons to breaking records and barriers as a top powerlifter at the age of 50.

- STUART MCFARLANE

Mandy only took up the event ten months ago as she brought up the milestone, but has blazed a trail through the Scottish scene - including being crowned as the top powerlifter for her age group at a UK-wide championships in London at the end of last month.

The pocket powerhouse broke her own bench press record with a 50 kilogram lift, alongside a deadlift of 105 kilograms and a 67.5 kilogram squat.

All of that despite only weighing 45 kilograms - or just over seven stones during the competition.

Mandy’s journey to powerlifting prowess, however, has been far from a straight one, taking up the sport after time spent in mountain and longdistance running and then completing the gruelling ‘Hyrox’ training.

Mandy admits her progress in powerlifting has shocked many, but hopes she can offer inspiration to women in the middle phase of their lives to try new things and leave no regrets.