A Royal Navy Medic based at HM Naval Base Clyde has set two new records during a recent Powerlifting Championship in Glasgow.
Petty Officer Medical Assistant (POMA) Chris Martin from Stirlingshire is already British Bench Press Champion.
On Saturday, December 2, the mighty Medic headed to the Physique and Power Gym in Glasgow’s London Road for the British Drug Free Powerlifting Association’s UK Master Championships.
“I went there with the aim of breaking the British bench press record,” said Chris, who is deputy practice manager at the Naval Base’s Medical Centre.
“During the competition I managed to achieve that and set a new Scottish record too!”
Competing in the 40-44 age category, Chris’ first press of 227.5kg broke the Scottish record. His second set a new British bench press record with the Petty Officer achieving 237.5kg – 2.5kg more than the previous one.
“I first began lifting weights when I was 14,” explained Chris. “I wasn’t too tall so wanted to make myself as big as possible.
“By the time I was 19 I got into Olympic Style Weightlifting and then eventually moved into Powerlifting.
“I train three or four times a week and tend to do most of my training at home as no-one wants to go to a public gym and be stuck waiting two-hours while I finish my sets!”
Chris also occasionally passes on his expertise to personnel at HM Naval Base Clyde by running teaching sessions in the site’s Sportsdrome facility.
But as a Royal Navy submariner, it can be particularly challenging for him to maintain his training regime while at sea.
“It can be tricky. There are usually some weights on board but as you would expect only a limited amount and a limited time to train,” said Chris.
“In 2011 I served in Afghanistan and there was a small outdoor gym where we were based. Someone asked me how much I lift and I answered ‘everything’ – I needed to use every weight in the gym!”
Despite his amazing achievement, the Royal Navy Medic isn’t resting on his laurels. He has set his sights on achieving 250kg in the future.
“The great thing is that because it is in age categories I can keep progressing. I have a friend, John, who is in his 80s and is still lifting.”
Chris will next compete in the British Championships in March 2018 with the aim of progressing to the World Championships in Glasgow next year.
