WHEN Kathryn Holley decided to give up running due to injury and concentrate on lifting weights as an alternative form of exercise, she had no idea that two years later she’d be representing Wales, breaking records for bench press, and being crowned the best female lifter at the National Championships.

The 35-year-old teacher did exactly that last weekend when she powered her way to glory at the BDFPA event held at Kings Lynn, and although she had her eye on the British record prior to the competition, she had given no thought of topping the best female lifter category.

“I was over the moon and on cloud nine with the result, and that’s putting it mildly,” explained a jubilant Kathryn after the event.

“It was a fantastic result and just goes to show how switching my running shoes for a pair of dumbbells has paid off handsomely.”

After the grind and grunt of running marathons took its usual wear and tear on her body, Kathryn found that lifting weights was not only a cracking way to keep fit but she really enjoyed it and seemed to have a latent talent for it.

On the recommendation of one of her gym instructors at Ebbw Vale Sports Centre, the Crickhowell native decided to enter a Welsh Championship Powerlifting Competition where she came third in her category and qualified for the British Single Lifts and British Full Power.

The rest as they say is history.

And lifting weights is worth its weight in gold as far as Kathryn is concerned, “I absolutely love it as a sport and a discipline,” the British champ explained, “When I first started, many women were a bit intimidated of going into the weights room at Ebbw Vale Sports Centre, but that’s slowly changing, to the point where the girls are definitely giving the boys a run for their money.”

Proud dad Karl Holley told the Chronicle, “What Kathryn has achieved in such a short space of time is simply amazing and has made me very proud. I couldn’t be there on the weekend but I’ve already penciled in her next big competition on the calendar.”

And the plucky powerlifter’s next big competition just happens to be the World Championship held in Antwerp this June.

A determined Kathryn said, “I’ve now got the world champs in my sights. So watch this space.”

And to all your aspiring lady weightlifters out there who are toying with idea of getting in the gym and pumping some iron, Kathryn has the following advice, “Don’t be worried about giving it a go, it’s a lot of fun, a great way to keep fit, and you’ll be surprised just how enjoyable it is.”