Head teacher lifts career to new heights
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HILTON Primary School head teacher Lynda Banks proved she was a class above once again when she returned from the European Masters Powerlifting Championships with four medals.
She took silver overall in the 63kg category at Gyor in Hungary.
Banks took gold in the deadlift after managing to lift 145kg.
She also got silver in the squat managing to lift 115kg and took bronze in the bench at 65kg.
She achieved personal bests in the squat and bench.
She was part of a Great Britain team that won 104 medals in Hungary and Banks says she was pleased with her overall performance achieving podiums in all three events.
“I didn’t expect to get a medal in bench as that is my weakest lift so I am quite happy,” she said.
“I got gold in deadlift and I was determined to get that medal as that is my favourite lift.”
Despite also finishing second at the European Championships in 2018, Banks said she put in a much improved performance in Hungary.
“At the European Championships in Sweden last year I felt that I had a terrible competition.
“Things didn’t go to plan and it was good to banish those memories.
“I still came second last year but I didn’t perform to the best of my ability.
“It was nice to come back and perform so well.”
Banks said she has had a lot of support from her employers to allow her to compete at international level and hopes her achievements are inspiring her pupils.
“Everyone has been supportive and given kind comments.
“I hope it shows the children when you put your mind to something you can achieve anything.”
Banks is preparing to compete at the world championships in Sweden.
The competition is in 12 weeks time as she is now preparing to put the training in to taking on the best powerlifters in the world.
Despite being modest about her chances in Sweden she hopes one day she can call herself the best in the world and is determined to make her dream come true.
“Its my goal to become a world champion” she said.
“I may be 70 before I become world champion, but I will never give up trying. I am determined to do it.”
