Gold Coast grandmother breaks world deadlift record in Rome

Vicki Harrison interrupted her UK holiday to fly to Rome and deadlift her way into the record books. Here’s how she did it.

Vicki Harrison set a new drug free world record for deadlifting for her age and weight, lifting an impressive 125.5kg. At 67 years old she is continuing to perform at her best. Led by trainer Tom Watson at Gold Coast Performance Centre she is aiming to break the record again. Picture: Glenn Hampson.

Vicki Harrison is now a world-record holder, giving younger athletes a run for their money at age 67.

The grandmother competed in Rome last month at the World Drug Free Powerlifting Federation in the single lift world championships.

She bench pressed 50kg and deadlifted 125.5kg – the latter breaking the world record for her age group.

Harrison said she was mid-holiday in the UK when she flew to Rome to compete before returning to continue her European break.

“I feel fantastic, it makes everything worthwhile – all the gym sessions and everything,” she said.

“I’ve been eating nothing but carbs since,” she joked.

Vicki Harrison with trainer Tom Watson at the Gold Coast Performance Centre. Picture Glenn Hampson

Harrison discovered her natural talent for lifting when a personal trainer spotted her ability during general fitness sessions. At age 60, she thought she’d give the sport a go.

“He said there’s not many ladies your age who still do this sport so you should have a look at what the record is. That’s what inspired me initially.”

The competition was live streamed on YouTube so her kids and grandkids could support her from their homes in Wales, England, Melbourne and Tasmania.

Despite training up to four times weekly and loading with protein, the former personal assistant insists the achievement is within anyone’s reach.

“I’m average, I’m just standard – anyone can get in the gym and train for something and achieve it,” she said. “So if you’re thinking about doing it, as Nike says, just do it.”

Harrison plans to compete when the world championships come to the Gold Coast in 2027, targeting another record at age 70.