Telford teen breaks second British powerlifting record

A young athlete from Telford is making a massive impact on the national powerlifting circuit after securing his second British record in just over a year.

Harry Newby traveled to the British Classic Bench Press Championships on 28 February 2026, where he successfully lifted 186kg. This feat earned him the title of British Champion and officially broke the national record for the Under 18s 120kg+ division.

Harry has only been training for three years and competing in powerlifting for nearly two. His motivation for entering the sport was simple: he enjoyed the gym and wanted to see his name in the record books.

This latest achievement follows a successful stint in the younger age categories. In December 2024, Harry set the Under 16s national record before moving up to the under 18s.

“I got into powerlifting because I really enjoyed lifting weights and I wanted to break records really,” Harry told Telford Live.

While many people use the terms interchangeably, Harry was keen to clarify the distinction of his discipline. Unlike Olympic Weightlifting, which focuses on the “snatch” and the “clean and jerk,” Powerlifting tests strength through the squat, deadlift, and—Harry’s specialty—the bench press.

“I just want to emphasise that this is powerlifting, not weightlifting,” he explained. “A lot of people get the two sports mixed up because in powerlifting you are lifting weights.”

With two national records already under his belt before the age of 18, Harry is quickly becoming one of the most promising young powerlifters in the country.