West Lothian athlete lifts it to another level and powers her way to podium finish
A West Lothian athlete has proven herself to be amongst the elite in her sport by securing third place in the World Benchpress Championships in Scandinavia.
Eilin Alsop, from Murieston in Livingston, took the bronze medal while representing Great Britain at the championships.
The 22-year-old powerlifter put in a tremendous effort to bench press a weight of 95kg and secure the top three finish in her weight and age category in Dramen, Norway.
Eilin has previously competed successfully at the British Juniors, placing third, the British Benchpress Championship, where she finished second, and winning the Scottish Universities title.
The tournament in Norway was her second international for benchpress, after winning at the Commonwealth Championships last October in South Africa.
The sport is largely underfunded in the UK and Eilin had launched an online fundraiser to get to Norway.
An Edinburgh University student, who is currently working towards a Masters Degree in Sports Studies, Eilin only took up the sport less than three years ago and is coached by Darren Marr at Marrvelous Lifting Club in West Calder.
She said: 'I placed third in the world for my weight category and age. This was such an incredible achievement for myself and the competition was so much fun.
'I was fighting for a place on the podium, knowing that if I missed my third bench press then I would not make a medal. It made this competition my favourite to date.
'I now have the opportunity to represent Great Britain once again at the European bench press championships that are being held in Malta at the end of September.
'This is another opportunity that I cannot believe I am getting to take part in and it is making my training intent so much more.
'I achieved a 95kg bench at World's in Norway, so I am definitely looking to improve on that once again when it comes to the European championships.'
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