The strongest grandmother: Martine Barons shatters powerlifting records at 65

Martine Barons, 65, became the "strongest grandmother in the UK," setting four world records in powerlifting. From a casual hobby to an impressive career, she defies expectations at every turn.

At 65, Martine Barons has been crowned the “strongest grandmother in the UK,” setting no fewer than four world records in powerlifting. What started almost by chance just a year and a half ago has quickly evolved into a surprising athletic career.

A talent discovered by chance

It was in December 2023 when Martine, a resident of Stratford-upon-Avon and an academic researcher at the University of Warwick, accompanied a friend to the gym. During that first session, she was shown how to perform a deadlift and, to her own surprise, effortlessly lifted 132 pounds (60 kg). Within just a few weeks, she was lifting 220 pounds (100 kg)—a clear sign of an extraordinary natural strength.

• the strongest grandmother: martine barons shatters powerlifting records at 65

Training and discipline

From that moment on, Martine’s life changed. She began training consistently, five times a week for two hours a day, managing to balance her full-time job with this newfound passion. In just 18 months, she participated in numerous competitions, winning the European title in Finland, defending it the following year in Poland, and then triumphing at the World Championships in Ireland and the United States.

World records and medals

Throughout her competitions, Martine rewrote the records in her category, setting new marks in squat with 220 pounds (100 kg), deadlift with 341 pounds (155 kg), and bench press with 127 pounds (57.5 kg). Her total of 688 pounds (312.5 kg) established a new all-time powerlifting record. Her latest victory came in 2025, where she dominated at the World Championships in Idaho, taking first place in the Masters 5, Raw, U90kg division.

Martine admits she had never been particularly drawn to sports and spent most of her life away from competitions. For her, these successes are all the more special:

“It’s hard to believe that I’ve discovered an athletic talent at this age. Sometimes, I have to pinch myself to convince myself that it really happened.”

The next challenge awaits in March 2026, when she will compete in the British Single Lifts Championship during the Arnold Sports Festival in Birmingham—a new opportunity to prove that it’s never too late to take on new challenges and rewrite one’s own destiny.

Source: Martine Barons/Instagram