FEATURES
RAF COSFORD AIRWOMAN SETS New World Record
by Sqn Ldr Chris Wilson
A serving airwoman from RAF Cosford has become a new world record holder in the sport of powerlifting.
Sergeant Ann Thomas was competing at the recent European Single Lift Championships in Riva Del Garda, Italy as part of Team GB. Indivduals from 18 nations participated in the event with over 400 competitors across all the disciplines.
Ann, who is currrently a Engineering Trainee Development Co-ordinator, has been part of the Team GB squad for the last 12 years. Weighing in at a little less than 59Kg in bodyweight she lifted 155Kg to set the new record in the deadlift category, holding off challenges from an Italian and Irish athlete in the last round. A well- seasoned competitor Ann has won numerous International titles and has been active within the National administration of the sport and was previously recognised for her sporting acheivements finishing 3rd behind Lewis Hamilton and Louis Smith in a regional BBC TV awards in 2008.
Having joined the RAF in 1996 as a Survival Equipment Fitter she has been employed all over the World and served within many specialist environments before coming to RAF Cosford in a training support role. Commenting on her success she said: “I have always been active and I took up the sport as part of a weight loss regime following the birth of my first child. I never dreamed it would turn into what it has. To be a world record holder even if it is for a short time is something that I am very proud of.”
18 Envoy Winter 2015
Even though Ann is heavily committed to Powerlifting, she is additionally part of the Women in Science and Engineering program, an initiative to encourage women into engineering. She also works closely with youth community groups supporting the development of young people and was part of the staff on a recent trip to Poland with children from RAF Cosford and a Walsall Youth club.
Photos show Ann competing in Italy.
www.raf-ff.org.uk
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