Britain’s strongest grandad has broken the world weightlifting record AGED 86.<br /><br />Pumped-up Brian Winslow has been bodybuilding for more than 60 years and still trains six days a week in his home gym.<br /><br />He has now broken the British and world record for deadlifting in his age group after he lifted 75kg (165lb) on his first attempt at an international weightlifting contest.<br /><br />The superfit pensioner - who weighs 2st less than the barbell he was lifting - then smashed his own record when he managed 77.5kg (171lb) on his second lift.<br /><br />He failed to hold onto his third attempt at 78kg (172lb) but his previous lifts were enough to secure him a place in the record books.<br /><br />Brian was competing in the deadlift at the 2023 British Drug Free Powerlifting Association (BDFPA) championships in Horncastle, Lincs., last Saturday (18/3).<br /><br />Brian, who converted the downstairs of his home in New Mills, Derbys., into a fully-equipped gym, said: “I’m absolutely delighted to have broken the record.<br /><br />"It's always great to get a record or two. I was exhausted straight afterwards but was fine after a cup of tea and a good meal.<br /><br />“I’m only disappointed I couldn’t get the third lift. <br /><br />"It wasn't too heavy for me, I just got the technique wrong because I was thinking too much about what I was doing.<br /><br />"I've lifted 80kg before at home and nine years ago I lifted 150kg in the gym."<br /><br />The BDFPA confirmed Brian now holds the British and World Record in the 60kg category for male competitors aged 85 to 89 years.<br /><br />The retired art teacher got into weightlifting when he worked as a beach attendant arranging deckchairs in Paignton, south Devon, in the 1950s.<br /><br />Divorced Brian, who has nine grandchildren, said: “I was at art college and had a summer job in Paignton sorting the deckchairs for the holidaymakers.<br /><br />"I'd set myself a target to see how many lifts I could do on each arm and I was just hooked.<br /><br />"I also wanted to look good for the ladies on the beach so I'd try and get my arms as big as possible. I had a few memorable summers.<br /><br />“It’s now a compulsion to do weights. It’s become an obsession.<br /><br />"I make sure I eat the right things like pasta and fresh fruit and vegetables and drink plenty of water. <br /><br />"After each competition I'm pretty drained so I have a few days off from training but I can't bear to be away from the weights for that long."<br /><br />Brian is so driven he was forced to miss some contests because he suffered acute nosebleeds and had to have a knee replacement.<br /><br />The dad-of-five celebrated his 86th birthday in January and he says he intends to carry on lifting weights and breaking records into his 90s.<br /><br />He said: “I know I’m not the normal type of granddad but I love to challenge and push myself and at the end of the day I’m competing for me and and no one else.<br /><br />"I think it's the best event but it is the most taxing.<br /><br />"Weightlifting is a huge part of my life, alongside my children and grandchildren. I'll keep carrying on for as along as the body allows but at the moment I feel fighting fit."
