An intensive care nurse was crowned a world powerlifting champion earlier this month with a record-breaking bench press.
Siobhan Taylor, who works at Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge, clinched the international title on her debut at the 2024 International Powerlifting Federation (IPF) World Championships for her 185kg bench press in the 84kg Masters 1 category in Texas, setting a new British and Commonwealth record at the same time.
“It is something you genuinely have a dream about and I can’t quite believe I’ve achieved it,” said the 45-year-old.
“Being a world champion, it actually doesn’t feel real. It’s going to take my brain a little while to accept it I think and the whole experience and competition just went perfectly.
“Realising I’d broken the record was particularly unbelievable. It wasn't until I went backstage that I found out how much had actually been on the bars. It was 185kg, which is 22kg over the current British record and current Commonwealth record.”
Taylor was also keen to thank her friends, family and colleagues for all their support and is especially grateful to her coach Rhett Milton-Barnes, 34, who works at Point Blank Gym in Cambridge.
“This is a team sport and there’s a massive team of people that have got me to this point who I am so grateful for,” she said.
“The person I owe the most to is Rhett who has been absolutely brilliant. I was ready to quit powerlifting a few years ago until I reached out to him.
“I was England champion at the time and he was awestruck that I reached out. He is one of the best things to ever happen to me.”
Taylor will attempt to defend her title at the European Championships in August.
