A POWERLIFTING paramedic has reached new heights after a record-breaking performance at the All England Powerlifting Championships.

Nicola Stimpson, who trains in Bicester, performed a ‘superhuman squat’ at the competition on Sunday to take on almost 100kg more than her own weight.

The 33-year-old, from Yarnton, stormed to victory squatting 180kg in just one of the disciplines and took home the gold medal, as well as the record-breaking title in the under 84kg category.

Mrs Stimpson said she was ecstatic with her performance, adding: “I have been so focussed on all aspects of my life to put me in the best possible position to win this competition, but it still feels surreal to take my place on top of the platform.”

Mrs Stimpson secured third place in the same competition last year after an incredible return to the sport.

The powerlifter, who has been with the ambulance service for 10 years and a paramedic for three, had about a year out during 2017/18 to have baby boy Albie who is now two.

But the new mum got straight back into training last year to continue her quest to one day represent her country, and ended up breaking the all-time record with an opening squat of 160kg.

This time around, Mrs Stimpson started the first round of the three disciplines of powerlifting by squatting a record 180kg.

Trainer Logan Usher, head coach of Apex Strength and Performance, said this put the contestant in good stead for the next round: the Bench Press.

As her weakest discipline Mrs Stimpson has been focusing on it for the past year and ended up bench pressing 80kg to tie first place.

Last was the deadlift, in which she secured her place as gold medalist lifting 160kg to open, and finishing with a crowd-pleasing 175kg.

This bagged her the title as strongest female under 84kg in English history with a record total of 435kg.

Mrs Stimpson added: “Logan and I have been working tirelessly in preparation for this and I could feel it during the warm ups that I would be able to put a good performance together.

“My next aim is to lift internationally and after this performance I hope I have put myself in contention to compete at the Commonwealth Championships in Canada later in the year.”

Mr Usher said “Nicola has consistently improved with every championship and has been in the mix with the nation’s best lifters for some time now.

“This gold medal is the result of years of hard work from Nicola and she should enjoy every second of it.”