BICESTER powerlifter Tania Franklin retained her South Midlands Championship title with a stunning display.

Franklin won the event, which consists of squat, bench press and deadlift in emphatic style, breaking all of the divisional records on route to a landslide victory.

This success guaranteed her a place in the English and British championships.

Franklin said: “I have had my mind set on retaining this title and setting down a benchmark for the national contests later in the year.

“I am really happy with how I lifted and will look to keep the success rolling into the rest of the season.”

She will now head straight back to Functional Fitness Powerlifting Club, in Bicester, as she prepares to go head to head with the best lifters in Britain.