SCHOOL teacher Kathryn Holley says her pupils “were over the moon” when she recently became a world champion powerlifter at a competition in Antwerp in Belgium.

Kathryn, who has only been competing in the sport for a couple of years, saw off strong competition from powerlifters from countries all over the world to claim the world bench press title in the women’s under 70kg category.

The 35-year-old is originally from Crickhowell and went to Crickhowell CP School and Crickhowell High School before going off to study education at Warwick University.

She then returned to the Brecon Beacons to teach in local primary schools and is now a Year 3/4 teacher at Ebbw Fawr Primary Phase school in Ebbw Vale, where she also has a role as the school’s Additional Learning Needs coordinator (ALNco).

Kathryn says when she returned to her school after lifting her world title, the children in her class all sang a chorus of “we are the champions” as she walked through the door.

Kathryn’s rise to the top in the sport of powerlifting has been almost meteoric as she only took up the sport two years ago, having previously been a marathon runner.

Taking up the story, she said: “I originally started powerlifting because I used to be a runner and when running a marathon I became injured.

“I started doing more weights because of this and instructors at Ebbw Vale Sports Centre helped introduce me to the weights room.

“That’s when I realised, being of a competitive nature, I wanted to compete at power-lifting. And it went on from there!”

After competing in this year’s British championships where she came first in the bench press, setting a British record, she qualified for the world championships in Antwerp where she won the under 70kg category.

Kathryn added: “Before the competition, I was extremely nervous – as I am in all my competitions no matter what level they are – but I decided I would just try my best.

“I enjoy it no matter what happens and I’ve made some brilliant friends doing the sport.”

Having been a runner and weighing under 70kg, she defies the stereotype of powerlifters being huge, muscled women, but she admits her exploits have probably stopped her pupils being cheeky in class.

Asked what her pupils thought of her winning the world title, Kathryn said: “They loved it! They wanted to see my trophy and sang ‘we are the champions’ to me on arrival in class! They definitely don’t give me much lip though!”

Meanwhile proud mum Sandie Evans, who contacted the Brecon & Radnorshire Express to make sure we were aware of her daughter’s achievements, said: “She has only been competing for a couple of years and I believe she deserves recognition for her wonderful achievement, we’re very proud of her!”