Nurse to represent GB at powerlifting world championship

Siobhan Taylor, who lives in Haverhill in Suffolk, currently holds the titles of Commonwealth Champion and All England Champion for power lifting.

Now she is hoping to become world champion at the International Powerlifting Federation’s World Classic & Equipped Bench Press Championship, which will be held between 21 May and 1 June this year.

Ms Taylor said: “I’m thrilled to represent Great Britain and to make my debut at the World Championships.

“I currently hold the titles of Commonwealth Champion and All England Champion for power lifting, and British Champion and European Champion on the equipped bench, so the only title missing is World Champion.”

She has worked at Addenbrooke’s, part of Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, since she was 18 and credits the support of her colleagues in the intensive care unit as one of the keys to her success.

“I feel so supported by the ITU team and they help structure my shifts so that I can train. I wouldn’t have been able to get to the level I’m at without the support of the intensive care unit team. They’re always there to cheer me on,” she said.

Ms Taylor took up powerlifting six years ago when a physiotherapist recommended that she use weight lifting to strengthen her core, after sustaining a back injury at the age of 39.

She added that powerlifting helps her stay mentally as well as physically strong

“For me, powerlifting is a form of meditation. It makes me feel empowered, resilient and gives me such a sense of achievement,” Ms Taylor said.

She added: “Lifting weights is so inclusive, it’s something anyone can do, whatever your age. If I can start powerlifting at the age of 39, anyone can.”

Powerlifting is different from weightlifting and is not yet an Olympic sport. It is self-funded and Ms Taylor has raised money to fund her world championship attendance with a GoFundMe page.

Siobhan Taylor competing in a bench press

In 2022, Cyrille Tchatchet II, a mental health nurse at Black Country Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, competed as part of the England weightlifting team at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.

He previously competed in the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow for his home country of Cameroon and took part in the Olympic Games in Tokyo in a team representing refugees.