Michelle achieved personal bests in the squat and deadlift events but her efforts proved not quite enough as reigning champions Scotland were pipped to the title by England and finished third.

She said: “The competition went very well and was well attended. As a team, we came third and did not manage to hold onto their title, however I had an exceptionally strong day and am delighted with my performance and lifting results.” Michelle, 41, who works at City of Glasgow College, only took up powerlifting three years ago to aid her recovery from a broken back. She suffered the injury six years ago after being involved in a horse-riding accident.

For 18 months, a fracture in her back went undiagnosed, but a chiropractor subsequently identified the injury and this inspired Michelle to start going to the gym in an effort to regain fitness.

She said: “The guy at the gym mentioned entering a powerlifting competition, I did it and loved it.” “I wasn’t good at it at all — my numbers were rubbish, but I just got such a buzz from it, and caught the iron bug.” Since then, Michelle has found success in the sport, gaining medals on the European and World stages at global competitions earlier this year.

She gained overall bronze at the European Championships in Pilsen, Czech Republic in July after lifting 160 kilos in the squat, 105 kilograms in the bench press and 152.5 kilograms in the deadlift. At the World Championships in the same city in September, she lifted five kilograms more in each of the squat and bench press and equalled her deadlift achievement from three months previously, setting personal bests in the process and becoming world silver medalist. The figures appear even more impressive given Michelle weighs in at under 84 kilos.