A TRIO of Helensburgh competitors showed their strength and returned home successful from a trip across the pond after taking part in the recent World Drug Free Powerlifting Championships.

The international competition, held earlier this month in Cape Cod, Massachusetts, involved men and women from all over the world challenging for medals and records.

And for three local lifters - Chris Martin, Claire Stott-Barrett and Jessika Halifax - it was a productive stay in the USA as they either won or came a close second in their respective categories.

They were among 11 lifters from Scotland who joined the events at the beginning of November, with the alternative championship having been established in the late 1980s to provide fair competition worldwide for powerlifters wishing to train and compete without performance-enhancing substances.

At 90kg Claire took the win both for her age and overall, while in the under 110kg category Jessika claimed the runner-up position on her international debut.

(Image: Supplied) The ladies category was incredibly successful for the Scots, with Becca Hornsey from Stirling taking a runner-up position in the 63kg weight category on her international debut, Karen Dalziel of Kirkintilloch winning the 63kg weight category (and best overall lifter), and at 80kg Emma Campbell of Glasgow winning in the Teenage 3 age category, and Charlie Penney of Inverness who won the overall.

From the men’s side there was great representation from Kilmarnock weightlifting club (KAWLC) with Barry Sheeran at 100kg who placed first in the Masters 2 category.

At 110kg was Sandy Hamilton and Ryan Beveridge, who placed second and third respectively, also from KAWLC.

Also at 110kg was Helensburgh's Chris Martin, who placed first as a Masters 2.

(Image: Supplied) Finishing up the men’s was Derek Forsyth of Kilmarnock who dominated the 125kg category, winning both age and overall as well as being the only male lifter to set two world records.

Chris, who also manages the Scottish division of the British Drug Free Powerlifting Association, said: “I’m enormously proud of each and every one of our lifters who have made their way across the Atlantic to this competition.

"They have done themselves and their nation proud.”

Chris has previously written a book on powerlifting and will release his next book 'Strength training for life' in the hopes of inspiring others to take up strength training.