Last Updated on 08/09/2024 by Crip Life
Making her powerlifting debut for ParalympicsGB is Lottie McGuiness. The 22-year-old Yorkshire lass, who will compete in the women’s up to 55kg class in Paris, clinched silver on her international debut at the 2021 World Junior Championships.
As part of our ParalympicsGB debutants interview series, our editor, Emma Purcell, speaks to Lottie McGuiness about living with dwarfism, becoming a powerlifter, her sporting success so far and what she is most looking forward to at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games.
Charlotte, known as Lottie, was discovered as a potential powerlifting success when she was competing at the National Dwarf Games in 2019.
After two years of training, she made her international debut at the 2021 World Junior Championships, where she came away with a silver medal and then went on to collect a bronze in the Manchester Powerlifting World Cup.
A former swimmer, who was inspired by Ellie Simmonds’ feats in the pool, Lottie wears an ankle bracelet and taps her foot eight times while on the bench before she lifts.
Away from powerlifting, Lottie is a big animal lover who owns livestock with two cats, dogs, ducks and goats in her home in the Yorkshire Dales.
Lottie is one of four powerlifting debutants set to compete at the Paris Games. The newcomers who will be joining her include reigning European champion and Commonwealth silver medallist Mark Swan (men’s up to 65kg class), 2022 European champion Mattie Harding (men’s up to 80kg class), and Liam McGarry (men’s over 107kg class), who benched a massive 232kg to secure qualification for Paris 2024, despite bouts of illness following the 2023 World Championships.
There will also be three returning powerlifting Paralympians – Tokyo 2020 bronze medallists Louise Sugden and Olivia Broom, and two-time Paralympic bronze medallist Zoe Newson.
Read on to find out more about Lottie McGuinness in her own words and scroll down to see her Paris 2024 results.
Lottie McGuinness on living with dwarfism
What was it like growing up with dwarfism?
Growing up I went to primary school and secondary school and I was the only one in my class, and actually the only one in my area, with my condition. I didn’t really know it until I was older about my condition and at first, I was like “Oh okay, what do I do now?” But it was actually sport that made me think “Oh that’s what I can do”. So I’ve always had my mindset on sport.
But anything with my condition I just adapt. I just do my own thing in a sense whether it’s climbing on the cupboards to get something at home or if I’m out and about asking people for help or finding a way I just adapt and I just try my best because there’s always a way. It may take longer but there’s always a way.
How does living with dwarfism affect you on a daily basis?
So mainly I’ve got steps around my house. In my car, I’ve got pedal extensions to drive. At my local gym, it’s actually very accessible and if the machines are high to reach, I’ll get a fellow gym member to reach them down for me.
I do have straps that I use to help me with some grips because the grips can be harder. Sometimes I can’t train without the straps because they are the things that basically help me train.
Lottie McGuinness on becoming a powerlifter
How did you get into powerlifting and what do you love about the sport?
I first got into powerlifting in 2019 through the Dwarf Games, which is an event held for people with dwarfism every year and it’s an event where you can fit in and meet people like yourself.
I went there and I gave powerlifting a go because my friend gave it a go. So I did it and I got invited for a tryout in Loughborough by a coach who’s now my current coach. He said let’s put you on the pathway and the rest is history.
I just love being incredibly strong. If you compare Olympic and Paralympic sports, for example in swimming, times are close but not fast or anything like that. But in powerlifting, we can be stronger than some of the professionals out there and the majority of the time we are, especially some of the guys in our team, and that’s quite cool to know that you’re one of the strongest female powerlifters in the world.
What has been the highlight of your powerlifting career so far?
There are two for me. A competition in Georgia in 2023 where I got into the Paralympic rankings for the first time. And then qualifying for the Games – that will be a moment I’ll never forget for sure.
You also had a spell as a swimmer. Did you ever get close to completing at a Paralympic level?
In swimming, that’s where the dream always started to be a Paralympian. I was obsessed with Ellie Simmonds and what she did and I really wanted to be like her and become a Paralympic swimmer.
I went to loads of competitions but I started doing strength training to support my swimming, which then coincided with discovering powerlifting, which worked out well. I love powerlifting so much and I’m grateful that fate kind of took its turn and I’m in this sport now.
It’s crazy because I actually have a photo when I was younger saying when I’m older I want to be a Paralympic swimmer but turns out it’s just a different dream now that’s still coming true.
Away from powerlifting, you studied for an undergraduate degree in Sport and Exercise Sciences. What was your university experience like and what kind of job relating to your degree do you wish to pursue in the future?
I joined university during Covid so most of it was online but my university career post-Covid was just incredible. My lecturers and sports staff were incredible to me. I graduated last summer and I work part-time currently with the NHS Monday to Tuesday – I’m on leave as I prepare for the Games – but I work as a healthcare assistant in a GP surgery and I love my job and that calibre got me there.
But I’m not sure what I want to do after. I want to keep on going as long as I can but I think I’m still discovering many roads I can take after I’ve finished sport.
Lottie McGuinness on preparing for Paris 2024
How does it feel to be selected for your first Paralympic Games?
Incredible! The feeling I had when I found out was something I’ll never forget, something I’ll always remember. It’s truly the best feeling ever because you’ve worked so hard for something and it’s like that massive weight lifted off your shoulders. Qualifying is quite hard and tough but knowing you’ve done it, it’s like, “Oh my God I did it” and it’s the greatest feeling in the world.
How have your preparations been going for Paris 2024?
Really well. I’m happy with how it’s all going. The numbers in training have been amazing and all positive. I’m looking forward to whatever happens on the day. But it’s my first Paralympics so I’m just going to go and have a good time with a smile on my face.
What are you looking forward to the most at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, as well as aiming to secure a medal?
I think the whole experience – sharing a flat with my teammates will be fun, the whole experience of meeting other athletes from different countries and sports and just enjoying being in the Paralympic Village.
You can find out more about Lottie McGuiness by following her on Instagram.
Paris 2024 Paralympics: Powerlifting results
Lottie McGuiness competed on Thursday 5th September in the Women’s -55kg with a best lift of 105kg, but missed off the podium, finishing in fourth place.
Despite not winning a medal, Lottie has loved her time in Paris: “[It’s] one that I’ll never forget. When I came out and I heard the crowd, I was like ‘this is crazy, this is real, this is what you’ve worked for’ and it’s all worth it.”
On going forward from this result, Lottie said: “I’m on a comeback now. I’ll probably have a break after this for a few weeks and then working towards LA where I’ll be qualifying sooner than I did for this one.”
The other ParalympicsGB powerlifting results are:
- Zoe Newson – Women’s -45kg – Silver
- Mark Swan – Men’s -65kg – Silver
- Olivia Broome – Women’s -50kg – Bronze
- Matt Harding – Men’s -80kg – 5th
- Louise Sugden – Women’s -79kg – 5th
- Liam McGarry – Men’s 107kg – 5th
Be sure to catch up on Lottie McGuiness’ event and the rest of the ParalympicsGB powerlifting squad at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games on Channel 4.
What is Para powerlifting?
Para powerlifting is a bench press competition, with athletes lying flat on a specially designed bench and then aiming to lower a horizontally weighted bar from arms length, to the chest and return the bar under control to the same starting position.
The rules on Powerlifting are very strict. The weighted bar is placed on two racks and the lifter must take the bar, assisted or unassisted, until the chief referee commands ‘start’ (this occurs when the arms are fully extended and locked). The lifter must then lower it to his or her chest, hold it motionless – called a pause – and then press the bar upwards evenly to arms’ length where both arms should be locked out simultaneously until the chief referee issues the command ‘rack’. The three judges will then indicate a successful or unsuccessful lift by illuminating white or red lights.
Athletes may make three lifts during the competition and must increase the weight attempted by at least 1kg following a successful lift. Each athlete has three attempts at each lift. A fourth lift may also be attempted for a record, but this does not count towards the final result of the competition.
Athletes are allowed a maximum of two minutes between when their name is called for their turn and the start of the lift. Athletes must also leave the competition platform within 30 seconds of completing their lift.
The athlete producing the greatest result within their category and within the three scoring competition lifts during the competition takes gold. In the event of a tie, the winner is the athlete that weighed in the lightest and lifted the joint heaviest weight. If both athletes have an identical body weight, a reweigh is done.
Check out another interview with powerlifter Ali Jawad.