WEYMOUTH powerlifter Carly Lawes finished eighth in the British Womens’ Classic Championships at Aster College in Dover.

Lawes, who was competing in her first year of powerlifting following a switch from bodybuilding, also achieved competition personal bests in the squat, lifting 122.5kg and the deadlift, topping out at 157.5kg.

A delighted Lawes told Echosport that her performance, which included a 62.5kg bench lift for an overall total of 342.5kg on the day, had surpassed her expectations.

She said: “I’m really pleased, it was my first time. I was chuffed just to make the British Championships and I did a bit better than I expected.

“Going in to it I was aiming for a PB really. I’ve just done my first powerlifting programme. I’ve only been doing it for eight weeks, I was a bodybuilder before that.”

Elaborating on her plans for the future after her opening foray into the powerlifting world, New Body Fitness lifter Lawes is aiming to qualify for the British Championships in 2018.

She said: “I’m competing in a couple of regionals in October. Next year I want to qualify for the British Women’s Classic Championships again.”

Lawes is coached by Shane Flowers, who will himself be competing at the Commonwealth Powerlifting Championships in South Africa this September.