The British women's classic team has been on the rise for some time. We have seen a Brit on the top step of the European classic podium 6 times now and three of those were Joy Nnamani. Melissa Hexter, Sophia Ellis and Bobbie Butters all have one win under their belt but we are sure that there are more to come this year. Let’s take a look at the lightweight classes first.
We have 2 lifters in the 57kg class. Bobbie Butters won in 2022 with 483kg, just a little more than she is nominated with here. She is the squat world record holder with a phenomenal 185.5kg. Big sub-totaller, she will be looking to defend from the front at this one.
Adejoke Adetayo is also in this class. Relative newcomer to international competition, she made a great showing in Malta at classic worlds this year. She's nominated a little way behind Sovannphaktra Pal at this one, but with the way her lifts have been progressing, she looks well placed to take the fight to the French lifter.
In the 69kg class, we have the recurring head to head tussle between Tasmin Campbell and Annie Nelson.
Back in 2022, Annie was in the 63kg class and both Annie and Tasmin were British champions that year. However, Annie moved up to the 69s in the later half of 2022 and the two started to meet regularly on the platform.
At last year’s Euros, Annie came out on top, placing third ahead of Tasmin’s 6th. Tasmin had struggled on squat and only got her opener in, leaving her a little off the pace in a really competitive class. Annie meanwhile was making the most of the gains in bodyweight, or at least not having to cut so hard, and was pushing through the 500kg barrier.
The two had a fantastic battle at the British this year. Annie broke the British record in squat with 186kg and Tasmin broke the bench record with 118.5kg. They traded the deadlift record back and forth but Tasmin won out by a scant half a kilo. At their last meeting, Annie did not have her best day and finished 10kg behind Tasmin.
They are nominated in 3rd and 4th at Euros so we are looking forward to the latest installment of Nelson vs Campbell.
The competition begins on 4th Dec and will be streamed on the EPF YouTube channel
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