Cambridge University Powerlifting Club - CUPLC

1992 Powerlifting Varsity Match🩵

Xan kindly shared this photo of him lifting in his John’s rugby top with us.

He mentioned that:

“The chap standing in the corner was a great squatter. He had been President of CUPLC the previous year and then moved to Oxford to do post doc work. At that time the squats were equipped - squat suit and knee wraps - but not the bench and think he was gettting above a 3.5X bw equipped squat which used to terrify me.

At that time all of our comps including the British Students were held under the auspices of BAWLA. I recall they were very strict on the drug testing: every podium finisher in every class at the British students was tested. I found this quite challenging in my first year because I had had to spend an hour on the exercise bike wearing bin liners in order make the 90kg weight class and it just wasn’t that easy to provide a sample.

As I mentioned we had no women’s team but Jackie Blasberry who lived locally, but wasn’t a member of the University, used to train with us. Jackie got Bronze in the World Championships in 1991 and it looks as if she is still lifting now. I think she must effectively be the first female member of the club.“

What an incredible glimpse into the early days of CUPLC and the people who helped shape the club we know today. 🩵

⚔️ CUPLC SPRING NOVICE COMPETITION ⚔️

Ready to step onto the platform for the first time?

Whether you’re brand new to powerlifting or want your first taste of competition, the CUPLC Spring Novice Competition is the perfect opportunity to compete in a supportive, high-energy environment alongside the Cambridge lifting community.

🏋️ Squat • Bench • Deadlift
📍 Open to novice lifters
🔥 Supportive atmosphere
🏆 Great for first-time competitors

Sign up now before entries close.

⏰ Deadline: 13.06.26

With BUCS just around the corner, here are the faces representing Cambridge University Powerlifting Club 🩵

A lot of work has gone on behind the scenes, and there’s more to come.💪🏼

Stay tuned for more athlete spotlights.🤩

VARSITY IS OURS 🏆💪🏼🩵

Records were broken, PBs were hit, and an incredible level of lifting was on display.

Proud of every lifter who stepped on the platform.

Cambridge takes the win.🩵

Huge respect to Oxford for a great competition and an excellent day of lifting.

CAMBRIDGE ⚔️ OXFORD
Varsity timetable is LIVE ⏱️

Two sessions. One platform.
Squat. Bench. Deadlift.
Finish strong— celebrate harder together at Robinson College 💪🩵💙

Save this. Share it. Be on time.
Let’s make Varsity LOUD.

CAMBRIDGE ⚔️ OXFORD
Varsity is HERE.

Months of training.
Bars loaded. Chalk everywhere.
Two teams. One platform.
Teammates screaming. Crowd losing it.

Let’s make it loud 😤💪🩵💙

🗓️ 7th February 2026
📍Cambridge University Sports Centre, CB3 0AS
🕰️ Session 1— 10am lift off, Session 2– 2pm lift off

🚨Introducing our 2026 Women’s Varsity Team!🚨

Jenny Lin (Captain): “Can’t wait to eat ice-cream for a week and call it a ‘gut cut’.”

Emma Cohen: “Big chain bust down like the Emmanator ”

Saskia Johnson: “Side quest accidentally turned main quest”

Isabel Dowling: “If you can’t beat ‘em...”

Ilona Myllyniemi: “Does powerlifting count as a PhD skill?”

Louise Pickenhan: “Just a girl aspiring to execute so well, Henry VIII would hate to see her coming”

Asha Scott: “One like and I’ll lift heavy”

Ameerah Saliu

Sophie Fallon: “Traded in the miles for maxes 🤪”

Viola Clark: “Just here because mom (aka coach, aka issydowlifts, aka British Powerlifting’s Next Top Model) said so. 😉 “

Gisele Walker: “Certified experts in sitting, laying and standing”