Uni student smashes lifting records

A NORTHUMBRIA University student has raised the bar after smashing eight powerlifting records on the international stage.

Stephanie Carrillo-Chavez is the new world champion in the junior 84kg class after clinching a thrilling victory in Finland.

And the winner of the 2018 North Performance of the Year award at last month’s Northumbria University Sports Ball fully justified the top prize after returning from Scandinavia with gold.

“It was a phenomenal display in Finland and everyone is extremely proud of Stephanie,” said coach Matthew Gill.

“She fully deserved her call-up to the GB squad after a superb season and her win proved she was the perfect choice.”

Carrillo-Chavez benched 120kg at the World Classic Bench Press Championship in Vantaa to best the USA’s Shelby Miles.

“Stephanie knew she could take the win as long as she matched Miles lift for lift,” added Gill. “As long as the two of them were neck and neck the result would go down to bodyweight. And Stephanie was the lighter of the two athletes.

“In the end Miles went for an all-or-nothing lift of 120kg but failed to lift the weight. Stephanie succeeded and had more in the tank!”

Carrillo-Chavez claimed one Commonwealth record, three national bests and four divisional records with her all-conquering lift.