POWERLIFTER Tony Brown smashed three personal bests as he clinched the bronze medal at the British Powerlifting Championships.

Brown, aged 33, produced the performance of his life in the senior section to deservedly get his hands on a medal at Birmingham Sports Centre.

He had to lift well to keep ahead of a large field of Britain's elite lifters. His bests included a 300kg (47.5stone) squat and a 202.5kg (32stone) bench press. His grand total of points after the three sections of the event was also a PB.

The O'Malleys' Gym member, who has been a powerlifter for eight years, this week set his sights on Sydney 2000, when powerlifting will make its Olympic debut.

"That is my big aim. I should just be hitting top form by then," says the 17 stone muscleman.

"The road to Sydney starts at the British Press Championships in Birmingham next month. I am going down there with big expectations. I am hoping to win it, no less than a silver will do.

"Then come the British Championships again in February. They have been brought forward because of the European Championships in May. So it is going to be an important year for me in 1997."

Ironically, Brown works at Ikea in the health and safety department - teaching staff how to lift correctly.

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