Powerlifter Robyn set the benchmark (From Basingstoke Gazette)

Profile on Andover's Multi champion Robyn Brown

12:00am Friday 1st February 2013 in Andover By Sports editor Kerry Miller

IDLY peering out of a kitchen window shouldn’t normally be the precursor to a career which takes someone all over the world but in Andover powerlifter Robyn Brown’s case, it was precisely that.

The popular instructor at the Andover Leisure Centre was at home in Chilbolton with wife Brenda when he noticed a couple of neighbours attempting a clean and press lift and, having been goaded into trying it for himself, found it came naturally and from that moment on he was hooked.

It began a lifetime of fitness training and travel which has taken him all over the globe while always returning to his roots in and around the town, often with another world title or record lift under his belt.

Wherwell-born Robyn worked in engineering for many years, having served his apprenticeship at Taskers before moving on to Storer and Saunders and Ashdale Engineering. Since 1990 he has been an instructor at the Leisure Centre, latterly as he approaches his 70th birthday, in a part-time role although he is still active, organising his Spartan 300 tournament, to be held in Andover on April 20.

Having begun weightlifting way back in 1968 he joined Andover Weightlifting Club, which was based then at Greenacres, situated roughly where Sainsbury’s car-park is and along with brother Roy and others trained twice a week, before moving to varied premises in sheds and schools before the Leisure Centre opened its doors on November 5 1975.

Robyn was there on the opening day and 37 years later is still as passionate as ever about changing people’s lifestyles and improving their health.

Full story and pictures in Friday's Advertiser