A grandmother-of-four who started powerlifting in her 60s has said ‘age is just a number’ as she is crowned world champion at the incredible age of 70.
Susan Sabuda, from Northumberland, goes to the gym for 10 hours a week and her rigorous regime involves bench pressing, squatting and deadlifting heavy weights.
The mother-of-four has competed in Canada, Spain, Sweden, Hungary and Lithuania and started her powerlifting journey at 64.
Now, the retired gardener has scooped the top spot in the IPF World Masters Powerlifting Championships masters four division and said ‘it’s quite overwhelming’, knowing that she is a world champion.
Susan said people are generally ‘amazed’ when they find out she is a powerlifter for Team GB, The Mirror reported.
She revealed there are many people who assume there are certain things she should or shouldn’t do because of her age, but added ‘it’s not exclusive to the younger generation’.
Susan previously took part in athletics and bodybuilding when she was younger but stopped ‘for quite a number of years,’ because she found it addictive.
But when a new gym opened up near her home in Haltwhistle, Susan decided to take up powerlifting.
Susan Sabuda, 70, has been named the World Champion in powerlifting after competing in he Masters 4 Division of the IPF World Masters Powerlifting Championships
Susan’s regime in the gym involves bench pressing, squatting and deadlifting heavy weights
Susan started competing for Team GB in 2020 and is now encouraging other older people to take up powerlifting because it has helped her get ‘stronger bones’ and to become ‘more mobile’
She told The Mirror: ‘When I went into ET Fitness, I felt like I was at home because of the weights and then I was introduced for powerlifting. I did my first competition and thought it was fabulous and it’s just snowballed from there really.’
Susan started competing for Team GB in 2020 and is now encouraging other older people to take up powerlifting because it has helped her get ‘stronger bones’ and to become ‘more mobile’.
She said Team GB has adopted her ‘into their family’ and that it is a ‘lovely and inclusive’ environment to compete in.
‘I’m really proud to be able to do it’, she added.
Meanwhile, Wojciech Węcławowicz, 70, from Poland, has showed that there is no age limit when it comes to looking and feeling your best.
The 70-year-old retired from his job as a PE teacher 10 years ago and quickly fell into an inactive routine.
He became frustrated and found himself losing his energy levels and healthy physique.
Wojciech Węcławowicz, 70, from Poland, has showed that there is no age limit when it comes to looking and feeling your best
The fitness guru has quickly gained over 300,000 followers on Instagram, thanks to his transformation
After retiring from his job as a PE teacher, Wojciech Węcławowicz (pictured) fell into an inactive routine and suffered from low energy levels, which prompted him to make a change
Unsure of where to start, he enlisted the help of his son, Tomasz, who started training with him at the gym.
And after years of workout regimes and meal plans, Wojciech says he’s the fittest he’s ever been.
The fitness fanatic, who has 375,000 followers on Instagram, recently shared a clip of his transformation, which racked up over 6.6 million views.
His Instagram bio reads: ‘Ripped at 70. Breaking stereotypes with every rep. Join the movement, because shredded knows no age.’
In the clip, he shared a picture of himself age 61, sitting down with his top off and stomach on show.
Then, Wojciech appeared to be flexing his muscles and abs while smiling towards the camera.
He has reportedly embraced more than 20 different sports, from ice skating and skiing to running and shot-put.
Another pensioner doing incredible things is Joy Ryan, 94, from Zanesville, Ohio, known affectionately as ‘Grandma Joy’ (pictured with her grandson)
Joy Ryan, 94, from Ohio, started traveling for the first time in her life in 2015 after confessing to her grandson, Brad, that she had never seen a mountain range or been camping. Above, pictured together at Denali National Park and Preserve in Alaska
Now, he’s on a mission to encourage other individuals to get into their best shape, regardless of their age.
The fitness fanatic, who recently celebrated his 42nd wedding anniversary, also trains with his wife – Iwona Węcławowicz.
Another pensioner doing incredible things is Joy Ryan, 94, from Zanesville, Ohio, known affectionately as ‘Grandma Joy,’.
She started traveling for the first time in her life in 2015 after confessing to her grandson, Brad, that she had never seen a mountain range or been camping.
Since then, the duo have racked up thousands of miles on their travels and Joy told the Mail that the adventures had helped her to ‘get out of my comfort zone and face my fears… such as being on the water’.
The nonagenarian – who got her first passport at the age of 91 – says that traveling has also taught her the power of connection. She explains: ‘My grandson and I have grown our relationship, and we have also connected with people everywhere we go.
‘The national parks have given me a chance to connect with diverse people, and the common ground that we share constantly reminds me that most people are inherently good.’