A sports and exercise science lecturer at the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) has won gold at the European Open Classic Powerlifting Championships in Estonia. 

Bobbie Butters, team GB athlete, is now a two-time European powerlifting champion after winning back-to-back international titles.

She won gold in her 57kg weight category after completing a squat of 180kg, a bench of 110kg and a deadlift of 182.5kg which means she lifted more than three times her own body weight.

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Bobbie said: “I felt an incredible sense of pride when I won my second international title, especially as it was back-to-back. It still feels strange to even say it.”

She has been lifting competitively for over a decade, representing the country 10 times and setting a new Powerlifting World Record in 2021 at the championships in Sweden.

The 29-year-old studied strength and conditioning at UCLan as an undergraduate before going on to complete an MSc vis research. Bobbie now teaches sports, nutrition and strength and conditioning courses.

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She said: “I now understand that being a physically and mentally strong athlete allows me to be a strong and healthy lecturer and coach. 

“Being an athlete teaches me so much about how to be better as a person, it’s a lifestyle. And this lifestyle allows me to be able to help my students and athletes to the best of my ability.

“What is amazing about this career path is I am always learning, I get to live what I teach and coach, and teach and coach what I live.”

Bobbie is already looking towards international selections for 2024 with the aim to compete at the International Powerlifting Worlds Championships.

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