News & Events

Bournemouth University (BU) is celebrating the success of two students as the return from the World Powerlifting Championships in Poland. BU Student Owen Hubbard set a new British Record in the Bench Press event (220kg) and ‘total lifted’ 757.5kg, achieving eighth place overall and fourth in the Bench Press event, narrowly missing out on a medal.

Fellow BU student Lisa Hicks, who hails from Ferndown, also competed at the event and lifted well in squat and deadlift but missed her three bench presses.

Both train at the Bournemouth Barbell Club, based at BU and Oakmead College which has over 70 lifting members – including newly crowned World Junior Powerlifting Championship Gold medallist Steve Tyers (pictured above).

Steve is celebrating the event in Poland after achieving a Gold medal in the Deadlift – beating the Russian world champion and over 110 other competitors. Steve also received a Bronze in the Bench Press, which gave him a Bronze medal overall.

Achievements at such a high level are the result of the collaboration between different organisations, working together to get the Gold medal. Barry Squires, Acting Assistant Head of SportBU was delighted with the success and looks forward to the future, “It’s fantastic to see that one of our partnerships with Bournemouth Barbell is now reaping rewards, and medals, at the elite level. BU students who train with these partner clubs within our weightlifting facilities really strive for perfection in their chosen sport!”