47-year-old Clifford Richards from Bournemouth recently attended the WRPF UK South West Qualifier held in Salisbury on Sunday, March 29 at 349 Barbell Gym.
47-year-old Clifford Richards (Image: Clifford Richards)
He competed in the Men’s 90kg Masters 1 Raw category and described having an ‘outstanding’ day, setting several new British records despite suffering from severe osteoarthritis degeneration in his left elbow.
Clifford ended up winning the best lifter of the day award, qualifying for the national championships later this year.
He said: “I placed first in my category and won the best lifter of the day award. This event also qualified me for the national championships in November of this year.”
His lifts included a WRPF British record 270kg squat, this surpassed his previous British record of 255kg, a WRPF British record 205kg Bench Press, narrowly missing 215kg and a British record deadlift of 258kg, giving him a British record total of 733kg beating his previous British record of 705kg.
This performance follows a life long career in the sport with his biggest highlight being in 2015, where he set a WPC World record raw bench press of 210.5kg in the 82.5kg category, a record that still stands today.
Clifford said: “None of this would have been possible without the incredible support of my wife, Amanda Richards, who has stood by me throughout my journey.
“I would also like to give a huge thank you to my best friend Phil Nosko, who has been by my side in the sport for over two decades, and to Owen Hubbard at A7 UK, whose company made sure I had the right kit ready in time for the competition.”
As well as thanking those who have supported him, he’s also encouraging anyone in the area who’s interested in strength sports to look into Fortis Strongman Gym- adding that they’ve recently upgraded their facilities.
Clifford added: “I’d like to encourage anyone in the Bournemouth and Poole area interested in strength sports to check out Fortis Strongman Gym.
“They have recently upgraded their facility and are keen to welcome the local powerlifting community.”