Four members of Bradford University Powerlifting Club have become world champions.

Gerald Pilling successfully defended his 125kg equipped title at Grangemouth in Scotland, while clubmates Steven Brown (60kg equipped) and John Stokes (125kg unequipped Masters) also lifted world crowns.

The successful quartet was completed by their 69-year-old trainer Eddie Bennett, who won his world single lift category in Pescari, Italy.

Allerton's Pilling set a national record in the squat of 342.5kg, bench-pressed 230kg and dead-lifted 330kg for a total of 902.5kg.

"I had to play it cannily as I was being pushed for the title by Maxim Tikamov," said 33-year-old Pilling, who was second overall in the Champion of Champions.

"I couldn't have done it without my sponsors Wolfwear, Muscle Factory UK and Bradford University Sports Centre."

Brown, who is blind, totalled 480kg after a 175kg squat, a 90kg bench press and a 215kg.

Fellow 44-year-old Stokes, competing in the 44-49 years age group, had a squat of 215kg, a bench press of 140kg and a dead lift of 240kg for a total of 595kg.

Bennett had a dead lift of 185kg and a bench press of 90kg.

The quartet are now looking forward to competing in the British Single Lift Championships at Bradford University on July 12-13 next year.

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