World Equipped Powerlifting Championships

Hello :)

My name is Gemma, I am a local Firefighter and Paramedic in Biggleswade who took up powerlifting last year to channel my energy following some very stressful life events with my 3 children.

I have competed in the past for Great Britain in martial arts and decided at the ripe old age of 40 I wanted to reignite my goal to compete again and inspire as many people along the way and be a good role model for my children.

I started my goal by losing weight to make the 57kg category and hired a personal trainer Jack Hutchinson Performance and joined a powerlifting gym in Letchworth with one of the greatest powerlifting athletes Allen Ottolangui. Within 6 weeks I competed in my first regional competition and won, I qualified for the British championships on my first attempt and I have since won another masters classic competition and earned the best lifter award as well as regional deadlift record holder. I then decided to take up equipped lifting which allows me to go even further out my comfort zone and lift even heavier weights.

I entered my first equipped regional equipped comp in October 2023 and was successful with the win and a regional squat and total record. This qualified me to compete in the British Masters Equipped Championships in Feb 2024. I am happy to say the goal was achieved and I came away with the win along with a new British Deadlift record and 3 new regional records. My goal to make the British team again has been successful and I was recently selected to represent GB in the European Championships in May 2024, I was supported gratefully by my local community and was successful at becoming EUROPEAN CHAMPION!

Unfortunately there is no athlete funding in the sport and I have to find my own way so I am looking for help to continue this journey, spread the word about the benefits of Powerlifting, inspire and encourage people to take up something they love or even try something new, I want to see how far I can push myself to break more records and show the world life really does begin at 40!

I have now been selected to represent GB in the World Championships held in South Africa and would greatly appreciate any help!

The funds would be used to cover the costs of the championships

Flight £765

Hotel 2225 Rand (£98 per night) (Approx £490 total)

Participation Fee 60 Euros (Approx £52)

Anti doping Fee 60 Euros (Approx £52)

GB Kit and airport transfer fee to Sun City (Approx £40)

Achievements so far:

1st East Midlands Classic

1st East Midlands Masters and Novice (Classic)

6th British Classic - East Midlands Deadlift record 147.5kg

1st East Midlands Equipped - East Midlands Squat record 140.5kg, East Midlands Total record 380.5kg

1st British Equipped - East Midlands Squat record 142.5kg, East Midlands Total record 391kg, British Deadlift record 166kg

European Champion 372.50kg total (1st Squat, bench and deadlift)