Wrexham’s Dr Batty smashes Powerlifting world record
Date: Friday, June 6, 2025
A Wrexham University lecturer has achieved a world record in the British Powerlifting Single Lift Championships.
Dr Chelsea Batty, Principal Lead for Sport and Exercise Sciences and Applied Sciences, took part in the recent competition, where she not only secured a world record but was also named British champion.
Dr Batty was among more than 200 competitors across the two-day event, which took place at the University of Bolton Arena. During the competition, she recorded a 147.5kg bench press.
This is the latest in a string of sporting achievements for Dr Batty, who back in December, became British champion in the International Powerlifting League British Championships.
She is now preparing for the upcoming European Powerlifting Championships, which are taking place in Poland next week.
Speaking about the competition, Dr Batty said: “I feel absolutely delighted to have achieved not only a British champion title but I’m also now a Powerlifting world record holder, and that feels incredible.
“Ahead of the competition, I was hoping for 140kg but got a 147.5kg bench press, which I couldn’t quite believe. I’m proud of what I’ve achieved but I’m already preparing for the Euros, so no rest for me!”
Dr Batty stressed that hard work and mindset are key to sporting success.
She said: “One thing I am always keen to stress to anyone but particularly our Sports Coaching students is that athletes can achieve anything they set their mind to, as long as they’ve committed to putting the hard work in at training and have a determined mindset. Mindset is so crucial, that’s most of the battle.
“As an active competitor and coach, I constantly remind students of the importance of soft skills such as communication during strength training and coaching.”
Dr Caroline Hughes, Acting Dean for the Faculty for Social and Life Sciences at Wrexham University, added: “Congratulations to Dr Batty for her latest sporting achievement – this time securing a world record and being named British champion. .
“All of us at Wrexham University, both staff and students are enormously proud and are wishing her all the best for the upcoming European Championships."
- There’s still time to apply for the September 2025 intake of the Sport and Exercise Sciences and Applied Sciences and Sports Injury Rehabilitation degrees at Wrexham University, you can find out more about the University’s Sports undergraduate degrees here and postgraduate Sports degrees here.
