Members of the meat trade could soon be playing a prominent part in power-lifting in the Fakenham area. Five butchers have joined Fakenham's power-lifting club and all were given a taste of competition by being allowed to guest lift at the divisional single lift bench press championships held in the town, writes Peter Bird.

Members of the meat trade could soon be playing a prominent part in power-lifting in the Fakenham area.

Five butchers have joined Fakenham's power-lifting club and all were given a taste of competition by being allowed to guest lift at the divisional single lift bench press championships held in the town, writes Peter Bird.

Competitors from all over eastern England competed at Mr T's Gym run by multiple world champion and record holder Ian Tudor. Two of the six winners were members of the local club.

It also marked a milestone for former Fakenham world champion power-lifter David Hollingsworth, who was forced to give up lifting because of health problems five years ago. He retired to the West Country where he set himself the task of putting some of his expertise back into the sport by qualifying as a referee, which included officiating at 10 divisional events, of which this was the last, and he was presented with his national referee qualification certificate by Tudor.

Four of the guest lifers came from Papworths in Fakenham and the fifth from Howells Butchers, Burnham Market. “Several staff members in Fakenham have been training for some time,” said Tudor. “That is why Sam Papworth decided to sponsor us and I am very grateful to him for his help.”

As well as winning the divisional title the event is important to power-lifters because success at this level qualifies them for entry to the national championships at Bradford early in April.

Results: 90 kilo bodyweight class: John Fulton (Eastern Counties/Fakenham) 75 kilos; 100 kilo bodyweight class: John Haines (North Midlands) 150 kilos; 100 kilo bodyweight class: Steve Bullimore (East Midlands) 150 kilos; 110 kilo bodyweight class: Ian Tudor (Eastern Counties/Fakenham) 145 kilos; 110 kilo bodyweight class: John McComish (Eastern Counties) 175 kilos; 145 kilo bodyweight class: Aiden Rowlands (North Midlands) 195 kilos.