Mel wins silver medal and sets three new records at Commonwealth Powerlifting Championships

An IT specialist who only took up strength training three years ago has won a silver medal and set three new records at the Commonwealth Powerlifting Championships in Canada.

Mel Rawsthorne, who works within United Welsh’s Technology and Transformation team as Software and Development Principal, travelled to Winnipeg in September for the international event as part of the Wales team.

In the championships, she recorded the heaviest female deadlift in the competition totalling 252.5kgs.

As well as coming first in the deadlift, Mel came third in the squat and bench press to win a silver medal overall.

She also set new records for Wales in the squat, deadlift and in the combined total, becoming only the fourth British woman to have lifted a total of 600kg.

Mel said: “Winning silver was amazing because it exceeded all my expectations and meant I hit my personal goals for the competition.

“I remember crying backstage, just totally overwhelmed, I have never felt that emotional from lifting before. It was phenomenal.

“I am really grateful to everyone who has supported me. The support I have received from everybody has been unbelievable. I am incredibly lucky.”

Mel, who lives in Cardiff, started strength training around three years ago when she was looking to take up a new form of exercise.

She trains for around 10 hours per week and says flexible working at United Welsh helps her schedule.

Mel is now looking forward to competing at the SBD British Open Championships in Birmingham, which could potentially open up the opportunity to represent Great Britain in the future.

“I hope everyone can find a hobby that they love as much as I’ve loved this,” she added.

“You can start something new at anytime and you can be brilliant at it and fall in love with it and you’d have no idea until you try it.

“It can make such a difference. I used to dread going to the gym and now I plan my life around it and I love it.”

Watch a video with Mel below.