POWERLIFTER Beverley Rodgers has enjoyed double success as after winning her class at the British Powerlifting Masters Classic Championship in Belfast, she was selected to represent Great Britain at the World Classic Championships in Belarus, in June.

A quiet 2016 which saw her lift the qualifying total for the National Championships at the divisional competition held at Elite Bodyworks in Basingstoke last November.

Rodgers lifted in the 63kg M1 class in Belfast against very tough opposition, after having to endure a last minute sauna to ensure she made weight.

The Basingstoke lifter managed a joint competition personal best in the squat of 117.5kg placing her joint first at that stage of the competition.

She then benched 82.5kg, narrowly missing 85.5kg which would have been a new British record.

This was almost 20kg more than any other lifter in her class and so gave me a commanding lead heading into the deadlifts.

However, Rodgers was far from complacent knowing that Pelin Baykal, who had recently moved up a weight class from the 57kg class was a very strong dead lifter having achieved an unofficial British record in her last competition in December.

At this stage of the competition the Basingstoke lifter had a 20kg lead and as Baykal was the lighter, she had to out-lift her.

The first two attempts for both lifters were successful, so it came down to the final deadlift to decide the title.

Rodgers put 140kg up for her third attempt, her current competition PB and a weight she has not lifted in over two years since improving her technique. This would leave Baykal needing to lift 160kg to win, a 12.5kg increase on her second attempt.

Rodgers lifted 140kg with ease and Baykal was unsuccessful so the Basingstoke lifter was crowned champion.

After her latest victory, Rodgers said: "I watched her final lift through my fingers with huge mixed emotions due to the strong camaraderie in this sport.

"This meant I wanted my friend to make the lift but at the same time as a competitive lifter you also want the title.

"Unfortunately the weight was too much for her on the day and the title was mine."

She added: "Then followed an anxious wait for the team selection for the World Championships. So when the email arrived today inviting me to represent my country for the fifth time I was over the moon."