THERE was an awesome show of strength from Salisbury's legendary powerlifters at the weekend in Bournemouth when five of them turned in a performance to remember at the British Championships.

Lee Steggles, Phil Randall and Neil Arnold all left the BIC'S Tregonwell Hall with British titles to their name, while Paul Newell picked up his first top three finish at a major championship and Brendan Jeynes registered a personal best total to take fourth place.

Steggles, a runner-up at last year's World Champion-ships, was in blistering form and as well as being named best female lifter at the event, learned she had been accepted into the prestigious powerlifting hall of fame.

The remarkable 41-year-old athlete smashed British and European records en route to landing the women's 67.5kg open class with a personal best total of 500kg.

"That was my target for the day. I wanted to hit 500kg, but I was so nervous beforehand," explained the British number one, who only a few days earlier, had discovered she was about to become a grandmother.

Steggles' 205kg squat set a new British and European record.

She then bench pressed 110kg before reaching her target with a 185kg dead lift.

Neil Arnold's triumph in the 82.5kg open category was long overdue.

The 38-year-old has represented his country at Euro-pean and World Champion-ship events many times during his 19 years in the sport, but had never previously held a British title.

"I just can't believe it," Arnold told Journal Sport moments after his success.

"I've finished second three times and third four times, but I've never won the British.

"I've been to the European Championships and World Championships as a number two, but never as the British number one lifter in my class.

"It's just unbelievable."