European Classic Masters 2023 - British M2 Classic Team

Day 2 of the European Classic Masters out in Budapest saw the M2 ladies come out to play.  And what a phenomenal day they had.

Karen Burns in the 57kg class had a mixed day.  120kg on her second squat was enough for the bronze  medal but 122.5kg on her third ground to a halt halfway up.  Similarly on bench, Karen looked strong with 60kg for her second but 65kg was a step too far.  This put her in fifth place coming into her best lift - deadlift!  Her opener flew and moved her up to third place overall.  Unfortunately, 157.5kg would not move and the Norwegian lifter snuck past for the overall podium.  145kg was enough for the deadlift bronze though - not too shabby in a tough field.

In the 63kg class, we had a tough battle between team-mates Jacqui North and Sharon Holmes.  Sharon led initially on squat but missed her second, giving it a bit of a wobble half way up.  She nailed it for her third but this had given Jacqui the opportunity to match her at 122.5kg and snatch the squat bronze on bodyweight - a real achievement for Jacqui in her first international.

Sharon came back strong on bench, matching her own PB at 77.5kg and taking the bench bronze.  This put Sharon in overall third at sub-total with Jacqui trailing Sweden's Jessica Jading by only a few grams of bodyweight.  Jading is a renowned deadlifter though and she leaped ahead of the two Brits with her opening pull.  Jacqui had a bit of a fright when her 147.5kg opening deadlift failed to reach even mid-shin - it just looked too heavy!  Meanwhile, Sharon nailed her opener but 140kg, a weight she often opens with, just wouldn't go.  An off day for Sharon, unfortunately. Thankfully, Jacqui got the lift on her second attempt, matching Sharon on total and therefore moving up into overall 4th place by dint of lighter bodyweight.

Bev Rodgers in the 69s gave the coaches further heart attacks by missing her opening squat on depth but she sank like a rock on her second and all was well.  Terrie Redmore had to grind for a PB of 142.5kg on her final squat but it was well worth it for the squat bronze and a new British record.  As predicted, tiny bench queen Bev took the gold medal on bench with a whopping 92.5kg, extending her own British record into the bargain.

On to deadlifts and Bev, never a big deadlift fan, started to lose ground, finishing up in 7th place.  Terrie, maintained 4th place with a strong looking opener at 140kg but could not get 147.5kg moving and Blomgren of Sweden matched her 362.5kg and snuck past on bodyweight.

In the 76s, after a couple of years of not managing to make it to internationals for one reason or another, Mel Allen finally graced the international platform. Up against the world champion and world record holder, Mia Ohrnell of Sweden, Mel had work to do to make an impact. Her second squat at 142.5kg looked very strong and took the British record and the door swung open a little as Mia missed a world record attempt of 168kg. Was this a little over-confident for Mia? 166kg would have taken the record and the bar stalled out so close to lockout, it's hard not wonder if 166kg would have gone. Mel went up to 150kg for her third but cut it a little high. Still she snagged the squat silver medal and was 20kg ahead of third place going into her best lift - bench press!

Mel closed the gap considerably with her opener and then, gaining confidence with every lift, matched the world record with a phenomenal 97.5kg for the bench gold - surely, she should have chipped it for the record? With Mia struggling on bench as well, Mel moved 2.5kg into the lead at sub-total.

Mel was lighter and had the lot number advantage so was able to lift second and match Mia's attempts on deadlift. 150kg for openers and then Mia missed 160kg on her second. Not so for Mel! She steamed ahead and finished strong with 165kg for the deadlift gold, the British total record and her first international title. Great lifting.

In the 84s, Georgina Hazell initially had a challenge from the Irish lifter in class, taking the squat silver and trailing by 10kg going into bench but that soon changed with a massive 92.5kg for the bench gold and she was untouchable thereafter. She matched her own British record of 190kg on her second deadlift and had a valiant attempt at a world record of 198kg but it wasn't quite there. Still, her second European championship title will be compensation enough.

In the 84+kg class, returning Northern Ireland lifter, Libby Blair was up against former world champion, Barbara Claassen of the Netherlands. However, Barbara looked a little off-form, nearly 20kg down on squat from her best. Libby made the most of the opportunity, collecting a silver medal on squat with 165kg and moving into the overall lead on bench, finishing up with 90kg for another silver medal. Libby came into her own on deadlift, going three for three and hitting a massive 185kg for the deadlift and the overall gold medals. Twice Commonwealth champion, I know Libby will be over the moon with her first European title.

With three European champions, the M2 ladies team absolutely smashed the team contest, taking a triumphant gold a long way ahead of nearest rival, Sweden.

Well done team!