Shachar Head, of Newton Abbot, was recently invited to compete in the annual Plymouth Performance Gym Invitational where some of the region’s strongest lifters and their assorted coterie were in town.

Head ground out a fine performance in spite of a number of factors working against her.

The first lift of the day was the squat in which Head lifted ‘equipped’, knee wraps adding greater strength, the 180kg lift smashed her personal best by some 10kg.

The bench press has traditionally become her nemesis after encountering shoulder problems in the early part of the year which had curtailed her training somewhat. The 75kg bench press was still a fine effort in the circumstances.

The last lift of the day, where Head felt physically and mentally broken, was the deadlift and after hoisting a second lift of 170kg, called it a day. The total of 425kg, although not quite a personal best was still an exceptional feat.

It was heartening to see a full flight of female lifters at this prestigious event including Ivybridge-based international weightlifter and powerlifter Helen Jewell who finished top of the overall standings in the deadlift (men and women).

Powerlifting is now becoming hugely popular both as a means to train for strength and conditioning and as a sport in its own right, witnessed by the burgeoning fields at all of the events Head has attended this year.

Head, although slightly disappointed with her day’s lifting, remained philosophical.

‘The timing of the competition was slightly unfortunate as I have had little time to train and it was a mixed day’s lifting overall. Although I am obviously overwhelmed with the squat which my coach, Guy Servis, and I have been concentrating on. Having a bout of “fresher’s flu” has not helped either.’

She has also had a busy few weeks settling into university life and moving to halls at The University of St Mark and St John where she has access to the wide range of facilities on offer including fully-equipped gym, conditioning laboratory and access to sports therapists.

‘I feel that I am in the right place at the moment to move on, Plymouth Performance Gym and my coach Guy are just down the road and the staff at St Mark and St John’s are proving to be a great support. With everything going for me I now need to knuckle down, get some conditioning work done and focus on 2016.’

Next up for Head will be a warm-up competition ahead of the British single lift and powerlifting regional qualifiers in November and December.