Power-lifters all over the world can start celebrating

following the news that Derek Marshall is retiring ..... at the age of 72!

Derek, who lives in Crayford, has been the superman of the world power-lifting scene for the last two decades, during which time he has won 38 major titles.

But what makes Derek's achievements all the more remarkable is that he did not take up the sport competitively until he was 52!

Since then Derek, who competes in the over-50 age group of the 671/2-kilo category, has won the British title for 18 consecutive years in which he took part and it would surely have been 19 had an injury to a shoulder sustained in a boating accident in France seven years ago not prevented him from entering.

Derek has also won the Eurupean Championship 12 times and the World title on eight of the nine occasions he has taken part the other time was when he came second in America in 1989.

Derek said: "I have done power-lifting for more than 40 years but it was not until I was 52 that I entered my first tournament.

"That was the Southern Area title held in Orpington, which I won and enabled me to enter and then win the British event."

Many people of Derek's age spend time in their back garden. He does, but not weeding and mowing the lawn, but lifting weights in his purpose built mini-gym.

Derek's latest triumph came in the World Championships held in Birmingham during

October, when he broke his own world record.

He added: "There are three lifts squat, bench and dead. Each competitor has three lifts of each type and the combined weight of their best lifts determines the overall winner.

"I'm the world record-holder for squat and bench lifts, but at Birmingham I dead-lifted 190 kilos, which was two and a half kilos better than my previous world best."

So, having won the British, European and World Champion-ship treble this year, why are you retiring, Derek?

You have to find the money to compete yourself and, at my age, travelling round the world is very tiring besides being

expensive.

"I will still keep myself fit in the gym, but will only compete in low-key events. There is one held annually in St Albans that raises money for Spina Bifida, which is very worthwhile."

December 4, 2001 13:11