Powerlifter Harriet Lack, aged 12, sets new world record in her class at the WPU World Championships in Coventry

A young powerlifter from Newark has set a world record - aged 12.

Harriet Lack achieved a deadlift of 57.5kg at the WPU World Championships in Coventry.

She only decided to compete a few weeks before the event but left it a world champion and world record holder in her class.

Her next goal is to compete at the European and Commonwealth Championships in Spain next year.

Lack got into the sport through mum Sally, who is also a powerlifter.

Her interest grew after travelling to various competitions together.

They share the same coach, Preston-based Rhianon Lovelace, a three-time winner of World’s Strongest Woman title, and pound-for-pound the strongest person on the planet.

So Harriet couldn’t be in better hands and showed her talents on the world stage earlier this month where countries represented included India, Spain, Poland, Romania, Hungary and the USA.

With a body weight of 42kg, she achieved lifts of 40kg, 45kg and 50kg before going for the record.

“If you’re going for a world record, they give you a fourth lift,” explained Sally.

“She’d been going up in fives but she didn’t want to do 55kg, she went straight to 57.5kg.

“I wouldn’t let her do 60kg, even though she has lifted that before outside of competition. It was the first of the four lifts where it looked like she was having to put any effort in.

“A lot of men, in particular, but also some women, stamp around and make a right racket but Harriet toddles on stage, does her lift, and toddles back off - she’s so chilled and takes it all in her stride.

“Her deadlift is so much better than mine ever was. Her technique, she’s naturally good at it.”

Harriet and Sally travel to Preston once a month to see Lovelace in person.

Their coach is an inspirational figure who has high hopes for the youngster’s development.

“Rhi’s got nearly every deadlift world record going, she was the first person to lift four times her body weight and she’s going to do five times next year,” said Sally.

“She does lots of seminars, that people from all over the country travel to, and she has clients all over the world.

“Harriet’s lucky to have her as her coach and to be able to see her in person.

“I mentioned to Rhi about the competition in Spain, which she automatically qualifies for after winning her world title, and she said she thinks Harriet will be deadlifting 100kg next year.

“She probably would this year, if we let her.

“The way she’s going, these lighter weights aren’t enough to challenge her. I think she’ll do 80kg by Christmas.

“She decided she didn’t like the competition side of it, and pulled out of one in Wales in May.

“I said to her, ‘You don’t have to lift at all, you don’t even have to train if you don’t want to’ because it’s always been her who wanted to do it, I’ve never put pressure on her.

“She still wanted to train, she just didn’t want to compete, and then a few weeks ago, out of the blue, she said, ‘Is that competition still open, I’d like to enter’.”