NEVER TOO OLD
I’m Britain’s strongest pensioner – I just broke a WORLD RECORD aged 86… here’s the secret to my bodybuilding success
BRITAIN'S strongest grandad has broken the world weightlifting record aged 86.
Brian Winslow has been bodybuilding for more than 60 years and pumps iron six days a week at his gym at home in New Mills, Derbyshire.
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The octogenarian smashed the world and British records on his first attempt when he deadlifted 75kg (165lbs) at the international weightlifting contest.
The pensioner then went one better - surpassing that feat when he managed 77.5kg (171lb) on his second lift.
Despite failing to hold on to 78kg (172lbs), his previous lifts guaranteed a spot in the record books.
Describing the jaw-dropping achievement, Brian said: "I'm absolutely delighted to have broken the record.
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"It's always great to get a record or two. I was exhausted straight afterwards but was fine after a cup of tea and a good meal.
"I'm only disappointed I couldn't get the third lift.
"It wasn't too heavy for me, I just got the technique wrong because I was thinking too much about what I was doing."
The BDFPA confirmed Brian now holds the British and World Record in the 60kg category for male competitors aged 85 to 89 years.
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A former art teacher, Brian got the bodybuilding bug while working as a beach attendant in south Devon during the 1950s.
Divorced Brian, who has nine grandchildren, said: "I was at art college and had a summer job in Paignton sorting the deckchairs for the holidaymakers.
"I'd set myself a target to see how many lifts I could do on each arm and I was just hooked.
"It's now a compulsion to do weights. It's become an obsession.
"After each competition I'm pretty drained so I have a few days off from training but I can't bear to be away from the weights for that long."
Brian is so driven he was forced to miss some contests because he suffered acute nosebleeds and had to have a knee replacement.
His search for glory has not been without its war wounds, with acute nosebleeds and a knee replacement forcing the divorced grandad to miss certain competitions.
Far from contemplating retirement, Brian intends to continue competing into his 90s.
He said: "I'll keep carrying on for as along as the body allows but at the moment I feel fighting fit."
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