A SOLIHULL teen holds a new British record in powerlifting after showcasing her skills on the world stage.
Lauren Recci represented Great Britain in Sweden last month at the IPF World Powerlifting championships where she recorded 285kg in her combined deadlift, squat and bench press totals – a personal best as well as a UK record.
The 17-year-old took home a gold medal after she deadlifted 140kg, ranking her top in the world for her age and weight, plus she won a bronze medal for squat and another bronze for her combined total.
Lauren said her interest in powerlifting came after she started going to the gym with her dad when she was 14.
“I was having a rough time with my mental health and my dad started taking me to our local gym so I could put my energy into something positive and almost distract me from what was going on,” Lauren said.
“Quite quickly a few of the powerlifters in the gym noticed I was getting quite strong quite quickly so persuaded me to focus my training on powerlifting and enter a competition.”
The West Midlands Ambulance service apprentice said she was honoured when she was selected to represent Great Britain at what is seen as one of the biggest and most competitive events in the sport.
Despite having to travel to the competition alone due to Sweden’s Covid restrictions she soon found the other lifters were in the same boat and they were supported each other.
She said: “The competition itself was an amazing experience which I will never forget, I feel so lucky to be able to say I took part. It was such an unreal experience.
“I was so pleased to see all my hard work, training and dedication finally pay off.”
Lauren currently holds all the West Midlands records in her weight at Under 16 and Under 18 level.
She also holds all the Under 18 English record and the cross federation British record for deadlift.
