ABBIE Barnes-Gjoka, from Wantage, took third place at the British Championships in Bournemouth.
Competing in the under 84kg class, the 31-year-old missed out on second place by just 0.5kg.
Barnes-Gjoka, who has been lifting for only about two years, got into the championships by winning her South Midlands qualifiers with some record lifts.
She totalled 362.5kg on all three lifts, which included a 137.5kg squat, 67.5kg bench press and a 157.5kg deadlift.
Barnes-Gjoka, who trains at KA Fitness in Wantage, is now hoping to represent her country.
“I am so proud of myself and really never thought I would get to where I am so early on,” she said.
“I’d like to thank Martin Green for all his coaching and support.”
Courtesy of: Herald Series