19-02-2025
York woman who took up weightlifting at 64 wins medal
A woman who took up weightlifting for the first time five months ago has enjoyed success in her first national competition at the age of Mathers, a university chief academic officer from York, was inspired by the exploits of her son Ben Gibson, a British champion in the deciding to begin training in October 2024, she has now won a silver medal in the women's 60-69 84kg category at the British Classic Bench Press said: "It's been really great to do it and my strength and confidence is brilliant."
The powerlifting novice, who works for Coventry University, said: "It was really scary but amazing that you can - within 12 weeks - go through a process and actually win a medal."She completed the training with the help of her 28-year-old son, a health club said: "How wonderful is it to train with your son and actually enjoy it?"We've had the odd fall-out but apart from that it's been absolutely brilliant."
Mr Gibson, who is also a personal trainer and two-time champion in the 120kg+ category, said: "It's been great fun."I'm so proud. I think she got over some really big nerves over the weekend to get onto the platform and she did a really good job."Ms Mathers worked in the finance sector before joining York St John University and her current role includes Coventry University's campus in to highlights from North Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North or tell us a story you think we should be covering here.
