WELSHPOOL powerlifter Tash Eaton is celebrating after earning a place in the Welsh squad for the forthcoming IPF Commonwealth Championships.

The 29 year old is currently training hard for the event which will see her embark on an around the world trek to Auckland in New Zealand for the championships which will take place from November 28 until December 4.

Eaton is no stranger to the grand stage having competed in four British Championships.

She ended the 2019 edition in third spot and in the same year ended sixth in the Commonwealth Powerlifting Championships in Canada.

Eaton is the current Welsh champion in her weight class having previously held Welsh records in all three lift categories.

This winter she will be competing in the under 76kg weight class.

County Times: Tash Eaton will represent Wales later this year.

Tash Eaton will represent Wales later this year.

She said: “I became interested in powerlifting after training in the gym for a few years and have always enjoyed being strong. A friend, who also competes, suggested to give it a try.

“My current personal bests are a 152.5kg squat, 90kg bench and a 165kg deadlift.

“My main goals for this competition will be to improve my personal bests and hopefully get the Welsh bench record which is currently 90kg.”

Eaton is a member of Newtown’s NMAC gym which continues to support a wide range of athletes in their development for top class competition.

She said: “I have been training at NMAC gym in Newtown for the last four years and I am very lucky that they are supporting me by covering the cost of entering the competition, drug testing fee and the Welsh team kit.

“I do not have any sponsorship at the moment, but as this is a self funded sport, I have to cover the costs of flights and accommodation myself.”

Eaton also paid credit to her coach Jake Downes.

“I have been with my coach Jake Downes for just the over two years and even though the coaching is based online I have made huge progress in that time,” she said. “I am really looking forward to seeing how my training goes over the next few months and seeing what I can achieve in the competition and those coming in the future.”