A 75-year-old Scottish pensioner has become a world champion powerlifter – despite having a bad back.
The remarkable OAP trains for an hour and a half every day in his garage at his home in Portree on the Isle of Skye which he turned into a gym.
David Hearn returned from the World Drug-Free Powerlifting Federation World Championships in Birmingham victorious after breaking a UK record.
The retired firefighter came first and broke the UK record for his class after bench-pressing 87.5kg – the equivalent of the weight of a fully grown man.
He went on to lift 135kg – the equivalent of a 21-stone man – in the deadlift event, coming first despite having hurt his back in process.
His achievements are even more remarkable considering David only started powerlifting 18 months ago at the age of 73.
Speaking about the deadlift event he said: “At the competition I was a wee bit self-assured. My first lift I grabbed it and pulled my back.
“I was disappointed,” he continued. “I’d lifted 145kg at home before going.
“I’d have liked to have done up to 145kg. Maybe next time.”
Talking about how he got into the sport he explained: “I’m 75. I did a lot of running but I got old and I got slow. I was in the gym one day and a guy said I should go for it.
“A year ago I did my first competition. I’ve got a very good coach with a gym in Inverness. He is an ex-marine commando.”
Mr Hearn, who is world champion in the M8 class, uses his bus pass to travel to Inverness every now and again but does most of his training at home.
“Because of the time I spend training I put my equipment in the garage,” he said. “I do a maximum of one and a half hours every day in the morning.”
“I have a view to the Cuillin mountains.”
Asked what his secret is he said: “Good genes. It’s like anything else, if you’re lucky to have good genes it helps and if you stay active all your life.”
He added: “Powerlifting is for all age groups – as long as it’s done properly. Age is no problem what-so-ever.”
