A CLUSTER of macho men will be flexing their muscles as they plump for top prizes at a prominent powerlifting competition.

Salisbury’s Dean Hardy, Josh Nichols, Frazer Munnery, Jamie Bicker, Gary Topley, Matt Baker and Adam Hindle are heading to the seaside town of Eastbourne for the GPC European Championships.

The city’s contingent of seven powerlifters is the largest to represent the city at the week-long competition, which is being held in Winter Gardens.

Monday will see them take to the arena for their individual classes.

Hardy and Nichols (bench only) are stepping into the 75kg men’s junior raw, Munnery’s entering the men’s junior equipped level at 82.5kg and Bicker will be among the 90kg lifters in men’s open equipped section.

Also attempting the muscle-stretching heavy weights, Topley is doing 100kg in men’s open raw (bench only), Baker is attempting 110kg in men’s open raw and Hindle is striving for gold in 140kg in men’s open raw.

Regular competitior Topley, 30, says he’s thrilled for the prospect that lies ahead.

“Frazer and I have obviously been here before and are both excited to be competing in an international competition for the first time in England, looking to hit some new personal records along the way,” said the member of Alpha and Omega Performance.

“For the likes of Josh, Dean, Matt, Adam, Jamie, this is going to be the first time that these guys have represented their country and competed at this level, so everyone is really excited and ready to go and no doubt nerves will set in on the day.

“Everyone will be hoping to set new personal records and potentially even set new European/World records along the way.”

Topley lifted a personal best in the World Powerlifting Championships at the end of last year.

He flew out to America where he finished fourth in the 100kg Men’s Open Class at West Palm Beach Box Convention Centre.

Topley lifted 180kg and 190kg in his first two lifts but missed 200kg on his third attempt, which would have sealed a bronze medal.

See how the Salisbury seven get on in next week’s Journal.