A college pupil has been topped 2026 Commonwealth Powerlifting Champion.
Caitlin Baxter who attends the College of Sunderland, represented England within the Open 57kg class, ending first total.
Powerlifting is a strength-based sport that focuses on three primary lifts, the squat, the bench press, and the deadlift.
Baxter, who’s learning for a Postgraduate Diploma in Medical Pharmacy on the College, took gold in each the squat and bench press earlier than securing third place within the deadlift. She mentioned "an enormous quantity of exhausting work" had gone into reaching the competitors, which befell in Winnipeg, Canada in September.
The 25-year-old from Newcastle upon Tyne, produced plenty of standout performances through the competitors, setting a brand new Open Commonwealth document within the 57kg class with a 113.5kg bench press.
Baxter additionally produced a 177.5kg deadlift, which earned her each a bronze medal and a brand new private finest, whereas establishing a brand new benchmark for her class throughout the Yorkshire and North East area.
"I can't fairly start to explain how ecstatic I’m," Baxter mentioned. "This was my tenth worldwide competitors, however my first ever Commonwealth and win for the Open English Girls's Group, so all of it feels extremely particular.
"There was an enormous quantity of exhausting work concerned in my preparation for this occasion with balancing work, coaching, and research for my diploma. It was very rewarding to see all of it come collectively."
Baxter's wins contributed to the Girls's Open English Group inserting second within the occasion, which she mentioned made the achievement "much more particular".
"By nature, powerlifting is a person sport, however with such wonderful assist round me, it undoubtedly appears like a crew effort."
Laura Hockaday, sport growth assistant supervisor on the College of Sunderland, mentioned: "We're so happy with Caitlin's achievements, to turn out to be Commonwealth champion is an incredible accolade and Caitlin has labored extremely exhausting chasing her goals, so the gold medal may be very nicely deserved."
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