SWINDON Barbell member Beverley Rodgers won bronze in the European Masters Equipped Bench Press Championships.

Rodgers, competing for only a second time as an equipped bencher, was aiming for the British bench record of 112.5kgs at -63kg body weight.

She opened the competition with a modest 90kg, before successfully achieving 95kg.

After discussion with her coaches, Marc Giles and Dean Bowring, she went for the British record attempt - and a silver medal - but despite managing to press it, was given two red lights on technical points.

Barbell head coach Charlie Shotton-Gale said: “We call Bev our benching queen because she has a natural talent and a stunning bio-mechanical advantage.

“Bev has always been predisposed to a good bench but has been working on various aspects of her technical abilities as well as improving her core stability to improve her press.

“I look forward to coaching her at the British Bench Championships in January.’’ n AT Swindon Barbell’s inaugural novice powerlifting competition, seven contestants battled it out through the squat, bench and deadlift.

Swindon’s Joe Humphreys was the winner, followed by Chippenham’s Lucy Fraser and Lara Elsey, of Rugby.