A GRANDMOTHER from Haltwhistle has broken two British powerlifting records on her way to earning medals from the European Championships.

Su Sabuda took part in the European Master Championships earlier this month, before much of Europe went into lockdown.

The competition was held from March 9 until March 13 in Albi, near Toulouse, in France.

The 65-year-old won two silver medals and broke two British records at the championships.

The grandmother-of-four said: “I got two silver medals - one for the bench press and the other for the dead lift, and I broke the British records in both.

“I’m absolutely delighted, it was an absolutely amazing experience.”

Su recorded an impressive lift of 110.2ilbs in the bench press and an outstanding 242.5ilbs - around 17 stone - in the deadlift.

It was also a successful competition for Team GB - the side secured top spot in all three categories in the women’s competition, and two first places in the men’s, coming second in the men’s Master 3 category.

Su had been a bodybuilder in her 20s, but left the sport in her 30s. She returned to powerlifting last year after she began training at ET Fitness in Hexham.

Su has also qualified to represent Great Britain at the World Championships in Sun City, South Africa.

The selection came after Su broke the British bench press record during the nationals in October. A fund-raising campaign was launched in February to get Su to Sun City to take part in the championships - and the she revealed the campaign has been a success.

Around £2,00 was raised by the fund-raiser, which was set up by Su’s gym.

However, the competition, which was due to take place this month, has been postponed due to the coronavirus outbreak.

The outbreak has had an impact on Su’s training regime.

She explained: “The world championships have been postponed until October now, but the fund raising for me to go to that is done.

“The gym where I train has kindly loaned me some equipment during the outbreak, so I can train at home and not lose any power.

“I can’t go outside now, or go to work - but there isn’t much work, because I’m a gardener!”