Britain's 'strongest grandad' breaks world weightlifting record at 86
A pensioner touted as Britain's strongest grandad has broken the world weightlifted record, aged 86.
Superfit pensioner Brian Winslow has been bodybuilding for more than 60 years and still trains six days a week in his home gym.
He has now broken the British and world record for deadlifting in his age group after he lifted 75kg (165lb) on his first attempt at an international weightlifting contest.
The retired art teacher, who has nine grandchildren, weighs 2st less than the barbell he was lifting. He proceeded to smash his own record when he managed 77.5kg (171lb) on his second lift.
He failed to hold onto his third attempt at 78kg (172lb), but his previous lifts were enough to secure him a place in the record books.
Brian was competing in the deadlift at the 2023 British Drug-Free Powerlifting Association (BDFPA) championships in Horncastle, Lincolnshire, last Saturday.
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Brian, who converted the downstairs of his home in New Mills, Derbyshire, into a fully-equipped gym, said he was "absolutely delighted" to have broken the record.
Brian pictured in his home gym (Joseph Walshe SWNS)"It's always great to get a record or two. I was exhausted straight afterwards, but was fine after a cup of tea and a good meal," he said.
"I'm only disappointed I couldn't get the third lift.
"It wasn't too heavy for me, I just got the technique wrong because I was thinking too much about what I was doing. I've lifted 80kg before at home and nine years ago I lifted 150kg in the gym."
Brian in his home in the 1960s (Brian Winslow SWNS)The BDFPA confirmed Brian now holds the British and world record in the 60kg category for male competitors aged 85 to 89 years.
Brian, who is divorced, got into weightlifting when he worked as a beach attendant arranging deckchairs in Paignton, south Devon, in the 1950s.
He said: "I was at art college and had a summer job in Paignton sorting the deckchairs for the holidaymakers.
Brian first got into lifting weights back in the 1950s (Brian Winslow SWNS)"I'd set myself a target to see how many lifts I could do on each arm and I was just hooked.
"I also wanted to look good for the ladies on the beach so I'd try and get my arms as big as possible. I had a few memorable summers.
"It's now a compulsion to do weights. It's become an obsession.
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"I make sure I eat the right things like pasta and fresh fruit and vegetables and drink plenty of water.
After 60 years of lifting weights, he still trains six times a week (Brian Winslow SWNS)"After each competition I'm pretty drained so I have a few days off from training but I can't bear to be away from the weights for that long."
Brian is so driven he was forced to miss some contests because he suffered acute nosebleeds and had to have a knee replacement.
The dad-of-five celebrated his 86th birthday in January and he says he intends to carry on lifting weights and breaking records into his 90s.
He said: "I know I'm not the normal type of granddad but I love to challenge and push myself and at the end of the day I'm competing for me and and no one else.
"I think it's the best event but it is the most taxing.
"Weightlifting is a huge part of my life, alongside my children and grandchildren. I'll keep carrying on for as long as the body allows but at the moment I feel fighting fit."
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