Wrexham University Lecturer and Students Excel at National Powerlifting Event
Wrexham University athletes produced world-beating performances at a major powerlifting tournament.
Sport Science Master’s student Steven Forshaw set a new world record deadlift at the British Powerlifting Union British Championships at the NEC in Birmingham of 290kg. Fellow Sport Science Master’s student Conner Edwards took second place in a separate body weight category in the deadlift with a 245kg.
Meanwhile, Dr Chelsea Batty, the current world record holder for the women’s equipped bench-press bowed out of the sport with yet another competition victory in her category.
Steven said: “It felt pretty euphoric to be at such a prestigious competition hitting a personal best and an age-group World Record in the deadlift (290kg) in front of the crowd and the Arnold Schwarzenegger statue, with my wife, who’s also my biggest fan, taking centre stage directly in my eye-line at the front of the crowd. It’s been a long time building towards that record so it was a barrage of emotion when I got those three white lights.”
Steven, who Finished 4th in the Raw Bench Press category, is studying for an MSc Sport and Exercise Science (Sport Performance Science).
“The course is great for diving into research and methods for programming my training, biomechanics for analysing specific technique and force generation and joint angles, and physiology for recovery methods. It’s hard to pick just one thing!” he said.
Conner, 24, from Connah’s Quay, who is studying for the same Master’s qualification.
“It was an absolutely surreal feeling especially as the competition was at the Arnold Sports Festival which has been an absolute dream of mine to compete at ever since I watched the powerlifting there for the first time in 2024.
“I went there to achieve a 245kg (3.3x Bodyweight) deadlift and that’s exactly what I did, so overall the weekend was a success in every way and couldn’t have gone any better for me!”
Conner trains four days per week at of Number One HSP in Queensferry, North Wales.
“The course has helped apply theory to my practice especially when it comes to the recovery side,” he said of how his Masters studies have aided his progression in the sport,” he added.
“Since being enrolled on the course I now find myself applying a heavy focus on my recovery using saunas, compression boots, rest days, foam rolling and daily mobility work which is something before the course was not a major priority for me.”
After his Master’s, Conner plans to stay in the industry and develop his skills - and hopes to set up his own powerlifting team to help others succeed in the sport.
Next for up for Conner and Steven is the WPC European Championship at the start of June in Limerick, Ireland.
Dr Batty, Principal Lead for Sports Sciences at Wrexham University, has competed in powerlifting for 14 years, and took the world record in 2025 with a 147.5kg bench press to be named British Champion last year.
Also among Dr Batty’s achievements was two other British Championship titles in 2024 and the European title in Poland last year .
But Dr Batty said that now was the time to retire due to the injuries she has accumulated during her career.
“It was my last competition so it was good to end on a high, but it’s also nice to see that there are more people getting involved in the sport in the Wrexham area.”
Dr. Batty said that she was “very proud” of both Steven and Conner’s achievements, and the facilities at Wrexham University that help them to excel in training.
“Steven and Conner are both using what they learn in their studies to help with their training, which is really good to see.
“We’ve often have chats about how I approached some things and it’s nice to see them asking the questions – they’re still very thirsty for the knowledge.”
For more information on studying MSc at Wrexham University, visit: Sport & Exercise Sciences (Sport Performance Science) - Wrexham University