IT was a record breaking weekend for Salisbury powerlifters at the GPC European Championships in Eastbourne as Josh Nichols triumphed in his first international event.

The city sent seven lifters — the most ever for an international competition — to battle more than 400 other competitors at the event which was being held on home soil for the first time since 2009.

Nichols claimed a gold medal on the final day of the competition in the 75kg Men’s Open Raw bench press, opting to step up from the youth ranks, with a best effort of 163kg which in turn smashed in the world junior record.

Elsewhere Frazer Munnery failed in an attempt at a world record bench press of 220kg in the 82.5kg Equipped Men’s Open class. In the end he had to settle for second place after recording a deadlift of 275kg, a 300kg squat and a 215kg bench press.

In the heavier 90kg Men’s Open class Jamie Bicker secured third place with a personal best deadlift and bench press.

Dean Hardy also managed third in the 75kg Mens Junior class, whilst Matt Baker and Adam Hindle both had to settle for fourth place in their respective categories.

On the final day of competitions Gary Topley fell just short of his personal best in the bench press and could only manage fifth in his 100kg Mens Open Raw category with a lift of 180kg.

After the event he told JournalSport: “It was a great performance all round from the guys.

“For Josh to get a world record in his first international competition was particularly good.”

Gary added he hopes to take part in the WPC world championships in Portugal whilst Frazer and Josh are both eyeing up slots in the GPC edition of the world crown which takes place under the bright lights in Las Vegas later in the year.