A LAUNCESTON councillor has been crowned a powerlifting world champion after outlifting the opposition at the WDFPF (World Drug Free Powerlifting Federation) Single Lift Championships in Wrexham, Wales.

Jade Farrington, who represents Launceston South on Cornwall Council, beat the international competition at Glyndwr University on Saturday, June 4, to claim the U63kg senior women’s unequipped single lift bench press world title with a lift of 72.5kg.

Jade said: “Thank you to everyone who’s supported me on the journey to winning a world championship. When I started powerlifting four years ago I never considered I would be competing in such an event, let alone winning it. It’s a brilliant feeling.

“Powerlifting is such an inclusive and friendly sport and it was amazing to see people in their 80s still competing thanks to all the age and weight divisions.”

Jade holds the British Drug Free Powerlifting Association’s national record in her category with a lift of 75.5kg. She qualified to represent England at the WDFPF Single Lift Championships when she won the BDFPA National Championships in King’s Lynn in March.

Powerlifting is traditionally made up of the squat, bench press and deadlift and athletes compete against one another in age and weight categories to get the highest total from the three lifts.

However, there are also single lift competitions which allow powerlifters to choose their favourite lift. Jade is unable to squat or deadlift due to having a prosthetic femur following bone cancer aged 9, and so she focuses on the single lift bench press.

Jade is now taking a break from competition as she is scheduled to undergo surgery to replace her prosthesis next month.