A mother of two from Llantwit Major who only began weight lifting this year has won medals at the Commonwealth Powerlifting Competition in Canada.
At the beginning of this year, Tracy O’Callaghan would never have dreamed of being an international, but she discovered she had secret strength!
She has now returned from competing for Wales in the Commonwealth Powerlifting Competition in Vancouver where she won three bronze medals and a silver medal.
Tracy (37), who has run the local MoD nursery for 15 years, explained: “I am very new to powerlifting and only began in February this year, after completing a female lifting course at Force Strength and Conditioning gym in Llandow.
“I joined the ‘female force course’ at the gym because I had been suffering with a painful back for many years and wanted to strengthen it.
“I had no idea that I was so strong and had never heard of powerlifting, which consists of three lifts – squat, bench and deadlift.”
Tracy pulled out of her first competitive event, due to nerves. “I finally turned up to a competition in February this year, although up until the night before, I wanted to pull out because nerves were getting the better of me – but I acquired two Welsh records, one in deadlift and one in ‘overall total’.
“I was then asked to compete in a Wales versus the south-west competition.
“Then in September, I was asked to compete in the Four Nations at Newcastle.
“Following that, I was asked to represent Wales in Vancouver. I was blown away and couldn’t believe how privileged I was. Through the support and extreme generosity of my friends, family, Coun Gwyn John, Pier Consulting Ltd, the local Lions, St Athan Thrift Shop and a fundraiser at Force Strength and Conditioning, I was able to fund the trip.
“The support of the local community and my nearest and dearest has been outstanding.”
Tracy won’t be overdoing the Christmas pud this festive season, because in February she plans to take part in the Welsh Cup.
Courtesy of: The Barry Gem