Leading Physical Trainer (LPT) Sam Dew, from British Forces Gibraltar has won the 74kg class at the 2025 British Powerlifting National Championships, the pinnacle of British powerlifting. This flagship event, held at the NEC in Birmingham from December 5-7, featured the best powerlifting athletes competing for national titles. 

Only the top 15 athletes in each weight class earn the right to compete. Sam qualified for the 74kg class by winning the category in 2024. 

Powerlifting is a strength sport made up of three disciplines: the squat, with the loaded barbell across their shoulders the lifter squats down then returns to an erect position; the bench press, lowering the weighted barbell to their chest lying on a bench, holding it motionless, and then pressing it back up to an arms-length, locked position, and; the deadlift, which requires grasping the barbell on the floor and lifting it until the body is in a fully erect position with knees and hips locked and shoulders back. 

It is a sport of maximal, controlled strength, emphasizing technique and raw power rather than explosive speed, in contrast to Olympic Weightlifting. At the national level, competition is incredibly intense, and success depends not only on strength but also on precision, strategy and composure under pressure. 

The athletes compete in weight and age classes and are allowed three attempts at each discipline, aiming to lift the most weight possible in each lift, with their best successful lift from each category added-up to determine a total score. 

Sam, one of the leading physical training instructors for British Forces Gibraltar, opened his campaign with an impressive 272.5kg squat, which placed him in the lead after the first event. Motivated by the incredible atmosphere and drawing on his experience and composure against fierce competition, Sam then pressed 177.5kg on the bench, a 5kg personal best, extending his lead heading into the deadlifts. 

Aware that the class included several exceptional dead-lifters, Sam approached his final lifts with careful strategy to protect his advantage. Despite the pressure Sam remained focused and calm stepping up to the final event and rose to the occasion as champions do. Sam pulled an impressive 270kg, matching his personal best and bringing his total to 720kg, a 7.5kg Personal Best in competitive power lifting. 

This outstanding performance secured victory in the 74kg class and has met the qualification standard for Team GBR, earning Sam a selection place to represent Great Britain at the 2026 European Powerlifting Championships in Malta. 

2025 National Champion Sam Dew said, “Powerlifting is a marathon, not a sprint, and my win at the Nationals was the culmination of years of hard training and repetition of the same 3 movements, day in day out. I am extremely proud of my achievement and very excited and honoured to represent team GBR at the upcoming European finals in Malta. Powerlifting is a great sport, and it is for everyone. The community is filled with friendly and encouraging athletes and I hope my recent win can inspire some new people to take up the sport”. 

Commander British Forces Gibraltar, Commodore Tom Guy said, “We are all delighted for Sam and very proud of his incredible achievement. He is one of our leading physical training instructors at British Forces Gibraltar and his achievements not only reflect his dedication to his role, but the high quality of people we are fortunate to have in Gibraltar and in the UK Armed Forces. We are looking forward to following his journey with Team GBR in 2026.”