Mum Melissa, 50, wins major powerlifting title
A MUM-OF-TWO has proved she is the power of Scotland.
Melissa Wall, 50, from Aviemore in the Highlands has become a Commonwealth champion in powerlifting.
Powerlifting involves three types of lift – squat, bench press and deadlift.
Melissa struck gold in South Africa representing Scottish Powerlifting at the Commonwealth Powerlifting Championships.
In Tuesday’s equipped full power ladies’ class she squatted 100kg, bench pressed 65kg and deadlifted 130kg to win gold on all lifts and be crowned champion in her age and weight class.
Melissa also set a new Scottish record for bench press in the process at the event in Potchefstroom.
She said: “I am over the moon to take gold on all lifts. After an epic journey and more than 24 hours travelling to get to South Africa, I managed to catch up on some sleep by the pool which was much needed and helped me prepare myself for the competition.”
Melissa admits she used to be a couch potato – but now she’s so strong she can lift the weight of a sofa or even an adult gorilla.
She’s lifted cars, iron girders, beer kegs and flipped tractor tyres in competitions, but admits she leaves any lifting at home to her husband Steve – a lieutenant colonel in the Army – so she doesn’t get injured.