A SUFFOLK-based RAF corporal is celebrating after winning the combined services Sportswoman of the Year Award.
A SUFFOLK-based RAF corporal is celebrating after winning the combined services Sportswoman of the Year Award.
Cpl Ann Thomas, 29, was presented with the award at the RAF Club in London recently for her achievements in the world of powerlifting.
Cpl Thomas, who is based at Wattisham airfield where she works as a fitter of survival equipment, is the most successful female deadlifter in the world and has represented Scotland and Great Britain as a member of the British Drugs Free Powerlifting Association Team.
She said: “I was over the moon that I was put forward for a nomination but to win it overall was just great.
“This almost feels like the next stepping stone and it is fantastic to have the recognition for all the hard work that I put into lifting and this is one of the highest awards in the military so it is phenomenal.”
In 2008, Cpl Thomas surpassed her previous best lifts by a significant margin, lifting a world record 140kg in the European Championships to win the deadlift title in the 63kg class, and followed this up with another world record of 141kg to win the British Championships.
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