7:00am Friday 3rd July 2009
By Patrick Gough
FEMALE powerlifter Janine Murphy sizes me up and asks how much I weigh. “I lift 30 stone, so I could take three or four of you on my back,” she says.
Fortunately Janine doesn’t use me for a quick workout, as tomorrow she’s competing in the British Powerlifting Championships at the BIC.
“Powerlifting is a true test of your strength, it takes all types of athletes. It consists of three lifting events. The squat, the bench press and the deadlift,” says Janine.
She will be defending the title she won last year in the women’s 75kg division and is the current holder of the British record in the squat, with a lift of over 400lbs.
Murphy, 36, is a former Thai kickboxing champion known as Janine The Machine and has been lifting weights since she was 21.
“Someone was watching me fight and asked if I fancied powerlifting, so I said I’d give it a go.”
In a primarily male orientated sport, Janine Murphy has experienced some prejudice. “People assume stereotypes about female powerlifters that they will look butch, or like a shot putter. Men also sometimes get competitive with me in the gym.”
“But I do it, because I can do it and not to impress anyone.”
Janine found lifting heavy weights came naturally and that her strength increased as she became older.
“I’m not sure where the power comes from, it’s a bit like those feats of strength when children lift cars up.”
According to Murphy, you need to know what you’re doing when it comes to competition level powerlifting.
“You’ve got to be prepared to fail. If someone’s lifting more than you in a competition, you just can’t match that without achieving it in training.”
Working as a personal trainer across the region, Janine’s athletic dedication has caused her to become a role model for many children and adults.
“I practise what I preach. I don’t drink or smoke, but I enjoy sport. Fighting and powerlifting was an opportunity to make the most of myself.”
Feeling adventurous, I saucily ask Janine if the pressure of lifting such extreme weight could cause you to accidentally break wind.
“My worst nightmare is peeing myself on stage. I might lift that weight, but I don’t want to be remembered as the powerlifter who wet themselves.”
Fingers crossed that doesn’t happen tomorrow.
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